MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Providing top quality health care services to the residents of the Eastern Panhandle is a priority for West Virginia University Hospitals-East
Both WVUH-East hospitals adhere to a set of care processes called Core Measures. These measures were developed by The Joint Commission, the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.
Core Measures were established to improve the quality of health care by implementing a national, standardized performance measurement system. They help hospitals improve the quality of patient care by focusing on the actual results of care.
WVUH-East’s City Hospital and Jefferson Memorial Hospital, along with hospitals across the country, are measured and compared by The Joint Commission against all other accredited institutions on their performance in these Core Measures.
There are 12 Core Measures altogether, in 4 categories (acute myocardial infarction, community-acquired pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and surgical care improvement project). Under each category, key actions are listed that represent the most widely accepted, research-based care process for appropriate care in that category.
According to James Paskert, MD, vice president of medical affairs at City Hospital, the CORE measure scores performance reports at City Hospital have shown improvement over 2009 averages. To date through the end of April 2010, City Hospital has a composite score of 100% for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction or heart attack.
The surgical care improvement project performance report shows a composite score of 99%, up from 96% in 2009. “For total hip and knee replacement, we scored 100% in all six of the key actions for 2009 and through April 2010,” Paskert said.
Children’s pneumonia care and asthma care also boast composite scores of 100% year-to-date. “We are very proud of the improvements that we have made in the quality of care that we provide our patients here at City Hospital,” Paskert commented, adding that the goal for 2010 is to achieve 100% composite process scores in all applicable areas.
At Jefferson Memorial Hospital, scores remain high as well with acute myocardial infarction compliance at 100% through the first quarter of 2010. The surgical care improvement project performance card at Jefferson Memorial scored 100% in nearly all key actions as did heart failure. Pneumonia care scored 100% in five key action areas.
“Our focus on quality measures over the past several years has made a difference in our scores and the level of care that we provide to our patients,” stated Konrad C. Nau, MD, vice president of medical affairs at Jefferson Memorial Hospital.
Both physicians acknowledge that even though they monitor and report the scores on a quarterly basis, there is a time lag of several months between when data is reported from hospitals and when it is posted for the public to review as state and national statistics take some time to be compiled.
“Our physicians and staff at WVUH-East are committed to a culture of performance improvement,” Nau said, adding, “Our improved scores at both hospitals reflect this commitment to our patients and the communities we serve.”
Konrad C. Nau, MD James Paskert, MD