HIGHMARK QUALITYBLUE RECOGNIZES JAMESON HEALTH SYSTEM

July 26, 2010 – New Castle , PA – Highmark QualityBLUE commended Jameson Hospital for their creation and successful implementation of new processes to promote positive clinical outcomes to further improve and develop patient safety initiatives.  Improvements recognized by QualityBLUE include: increased Emergency Department efficiencies; reducing hospital acquired infections, implementing an antimicrobial stewardship program; improving venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis compliance; and decreasing the number of deliveries less than 39-weeks gestation.

Jameson Hospital earned a total score of 96% thereby attaining the Maximum Achievement Level for Fiscal Year 2010.  Jameson also met 95% of the Pennsylvania state averages for applicable Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS ) Quality Core Measure performance and 20% of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS).

Mary Blank, Manager, Highmark Hospital Performance Management commented, “Congratulations for a very successful performance year.  We applaud your hospital team efforts and continued commitment to improving patient care.”

  The Highmark QualityBLUE Pay-for-Performance Program began in 2002 with six hospitals. Today, 29 hospitals participate in the program in Western Pennsylvania and the program was recently expanded to include one hospital in Central Pennsylvania . Further expansion is projected.

Douglas Danko, Jameson Health System President/CEO said, “Jameson is committed to advancing a culture of quality.  I commend the members of the QualityBLUE Team in their efforts and continued commitment to improving patient care on a daily basis.”

These specific measures show the program is progressive.  The QualityBLUE program is making a difference when it comes to quality care.  Jameson Hospital and other hospitals in the program are safer with significant cost savings.