February 12, 2007
Jameson Surpasses Hospitals in Quality Measures




Jameson Surpasses Average Pennsylvania and U.S. Hospitals in Quality Measures

New Castle, PA (February 12, 2007) - In a study released by the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA), Jameson Memorial Hospital surpassed the average Pennsylvania and U.S. hospitals in selected HQA Quality Measures.

The data for the study was collected from April 2005 through March 2006 and was voluntarily submitted from hospitals for public reporting.   The clinical measures reported focused on heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia and the rates were calculated based upon hospital discharges. 

HQA Improving Care through Information was created in December 2002. Led by the American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, and Association of American Medical Colleges, the HQA effort is intended to make it easier for the consumer to make informed health care decisions and to support efforts to improve quality in U.S. hospitals. The information measured how well hospitals cared for their adult patients, regardless of whether the care was paid for by Medicare, Medicaid or a private health insurance plan.

Specific areas evaluated and scored were heart failure and heart attack measures and included patients being given appropriate assessment and medications upon admission and discharge, short treatment times, discharge instructions and advice and counseling on smoking cessation.

Pneumonia measures were also evaluated including administration of pneumococcal and influenza vaccination, oxygenation assessment, and antibiotic administration.

This information is intended to help not only health care providers but also the general public compare the quality of care provided in the hospitals that agree to submit data on the quality of certain services they provide for certain conditions. This quality information not only helps make good future decisions about health care, but also encourages hospitals to improve the quality of health care they provide.

Mr. Thomas White, President and CEO of Jameson Health System, said “We are pleased with the results of the study and this is further confirmation to us that the measures we are implementing are continuing to have a positive impact on our performance.”

Jameson Health System has served the community for over 75 years providing high-quality, community-based health care services to Lawrence County .  With 300 beds, Jameson operates as a full-service acute care facility occupying two campuses, Jameson Hospital North and Jameson Hospital South.  Many outreach centers throughout Lawrence County provide access to a broad and integrated continuum of health and human services to the community.