Mount Vernon Hospital (MVH) is pleased to announce that it has been named a 2012 Press Ganey Top Improver Award winner for its significant improvement in 26 clinical core measures.  Mount Vernon Hospital was one of only 12 hospitals in the country to receive the award for improvement in quality of care that highlights MVH’s commitment to patient care excellence.

This award distinguishes Mount Vernon Hospital as one of the top 3% of hospitals in the nation in overall score.  After a thorough review of its Core Measures trending, Mount Vernon Hospital determined that a disease-specific focus was indicated.  Since education is the foundation of its mission, and as a teaching hospital is central to the dynamic, day-to-day learning environment, the Core Measures Nurse Champion, Lois Marchesi, “theorized that using this fundamental tenant would provide the springboard to improvement.”   Of note:  The total score had to be achieved through improvement in all four core measures. The specific areas include care for:

• acute myocardial infraction (heart attack)

• heart failure,

• pneumonia

• surgical infection prevention.

Improvement was determined by comparing hospitals’ quarterly scores over a two year period and the award recognizes clients who have shown continuous and substantial improvements in these core areas.

When asked by Press Ganey how MVH achieved its success, the hospital’s Assistant Vice President for Quality, Francine S. Cieslinski, cited identifying a specific focus, using the foundation of its mission:  education to drive the efforts, sharing current data and goals across the board, and finally achieving commitment for change from everyone, including administers, Board of Trustees, physicians, nurses and support staff.

Improving Mount Vernon Hospital’s National Hospital Quality Measures is the most significant outcome of the efforts.  Not only does this translate into improved patient care, but all stakeholders have a sense of ownership and are invested in building on the accomplishment.  Without top-down commitment and an interdisciplinary approach, achieving the Press Ganey 2012 Top Improver Award could not have been possible.  It proves that the need for change, the means for change and the results of change are enjoyed only through a team effort whose focus is patient-centered and whose goal is “Always Choosing Excellence.”

President and CEO of Sound Shore Health System, John R. Spicer commenting on the accomplishment said, “Congratulations to Administration, the Board of Trustees and the entire staff at Mount Vernon Hospital on winning the Press Ganey 2012 Top Improver Award.”  He continued, “The real winners are the beneficiaries of this commitment to change – the patients.”