Saturday, May 29, 2010

Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York Receives National Recognition for the Care of Heart Attack Patients - Program Receives Prestigious JCAHO Accreditation

Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York Receives National Recognition for the Care of Heart Attack Patients - Program Receives Prestigious JCAHO Accreditation

Good Samaritan Hospital has become the first hospital east of the Mississippi to be awarded a Certificate of Distinction for the Management of Acute Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The certification was awarded following an extensive on-site review of the hospitalÂ’s emergency medicine protocols, systems and procedures for heart attack patients by the prestigious health care rating body. This disease specific care certification by JCAHO means Good Samaritan has met the highest quality national standards for the treatment of patients who present in the emergency department with a heart attack.

(PRWEB) January 25, 2005

Good Samaritan Hospital has become the first hospital east of the Mississippi to be awarded a Certificate of Distinction for the Management of Acute Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The certification was awarded following an extensive on-site review of the hospitalÂ’s emergency medicine protocols, systems and procedures for heart attack patients by the prestigious health care rating body.

This disease specific care certification by JCAHO means Good Samaritan has met the highest quality national standards for the treatment of patients who present in the emergency department with a heart attack. The certification for Acute Myocardial Infarction follows closely on the heels of the hospitalÂ’s full re-accreditation by JCAHO in 2004.

"The people of the Lower Hudson Valley can be proud of the steps that Good Samaritan has been taking to improve the quality of cardiac care in our community,” said Michael Schnieders, Executive Vice President and Administrator of Good Samaritan Hospital. “This certification for our Acute Myocardial Infarction program is a very positive and affirming event for Good Samaritan, as we continue to press our case to become a comprehensive cardiac care center.”

Formed in 1951, JCAHO is dedicated to improving the quality of the nation's health care through voluntary accreditation of hospitals, and other health care organizations. JCAHO develops state-of-the-art standards and evaluates the compliance of health care organizations to those standards.

The Joint CommissionÂ’s Disease Specific Care Certification is designed to evaluate disease management and chronic care services that are provided in health care settings. Evaluation and certification is based on JCAHOÂ’s assessment of compliance with national standards, effective use of clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care, and an organized approach to performance management and improvement activities.

The JCAHO survey team was very complimentary of the entire Good Samaritan Hospital Acute Myocardial Infarction team, which is reflected in the fact that no recommendations for improvement were offered.

JCAHO accreditation is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting the highest performance standards. To earn and maintain accreditation, an organization must undergo an extensive on-site survey by a JCAHO survey team.

Good Samaritan Hospital is a member of Bon Secours Health System, Inc., one of the nationÂ’s leading Catholic healthcare systems. It is also part of the regional Bon Secours Charity Health System, which includes St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, New York. Additionally, Bon Secours Charity Health System provides the services of a Certified Home Health Agency, two long-term care facilities, an assisted living and adult home facility and several other medical programs. For more information about cardiac services, or any other program, contact Good Samaritan Hospital at 845-368-5000.

Media Contact:

John Lonsdorf

R&J Public Relations

(973) 331-1070

Jlonsdorf@RandJpr. com

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