January 25, 2005

JAMESON HEALTH SYSTEM RECEIVES CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
FOR CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE OUTCOMES

New Castle, PA - The Jameson Health System received a Certificate of Excellence from the Voluntary Hospital Association (VHA) for successfully attaining Green Light Status for all four Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Core Measure Indicators.  Green Light Status, greater than 90%, was for the period July through September 2004. 
      The Heart Failure Clinical Outcomes Institute began September 1, 2003 with five VHA Pennsylvania members participating. The purpose of the Heart Failure Outcomes Institute is to greatly improve outcomes for heart failure patients and achieve Green Light Status.
      Mr. White, President/CEO Jameson Health System, presented the team members certificates at a luncheon held in their honor on December 17, 2004.  Jameson dedicated a team to improve heart failure indicators.  The team included Dr. Paul Wawrzynski, and Dr. Elizabeth Piccione, as well as patient care managers, Karen Burgoon, Jimmy Rossi, Patty McConahy, Donna Cochran, director of nursing, Nancy Gibson, infection control coordinator, Marta Miles, case manager, Vicki Trott, Lonnie Georges, Cyndee Jeannette from medical information systems, Char Verdi, director of staff and community education, Jan Peterson, utilization review manager, along with Marc DeGregorio, director of pharmacy, Michelle Lum, director of respiratory therapy and Liz Veri, dietitian completed the team.  They all worked aggressively to improve the outcomes for CHF patients.  They openly shared data with other participants, participated in educational conference calls, and they committed to continuing participation in 2004 to sustain and further the gains.
     Another factor contributing to the positive CHF patient outcomes at Jameson is the use of the drug Natrecor.  Natrecor is an intravenous drug used for CHF patients.  Jameson was one of the first hospitals in the United States to administer this new drug under Dr. Wawrzynski’s direction.  Jameson continues to be on the leading edge by offering this drug on an outpatient basis for the long-term management of CHF.
     According to Donna Cochran, “By educating the patient and their families, patients were watching their weight gain and other symptoms and became participants in their own care.  Patient participation along with the assistance of the entire team effort results in an improved quality of life.”
      Jameson Health System operates as a full-service acute care facility with a full continuum of quality health and human services in New Castle, Lawrence County.  For more information about Jameson’s Cardiac Program please call 724-656-4624.