Springfield Hospital Earns VHA Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence  

Springfield Hospital was recently honored with a 2009 Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence in the category of Patient Safety for meeting or exceeding national performance standards for clinical care. The VHA Clinical Excellence Award

for Patient Safety recognizes hospitals that had zero cases of catheter-related blood stream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia cases for the most recent 12 consecutive quarters. It marks the second year in a row that Springfield has earned a VHA Leadership Award.

VHA Leadership Awards for Clinical Excellence recognize hospitals for clinical quality, patient safety or the patient experience, and the winners have to meet defined standards for patient care. Springfield Hospital was one of 38 VHA member organizations to receive one of the awards this year.

Taylor Hospital Achieves Primary Stroke

Center Status  

Taylor Hospital has joined a select group of hospitals that have been recognized by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. Taylor joins Delaware County Memorial Hospital (certified in June 2008) and Crozer-Chester Medical Center (certified in January 2009) as the only certified Primary Stroke Centers in Delaware County. Certification means that the hospital’s stroke program has met the highest national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.

Certification is based on guidelines developed by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. They require applicants to have a stroke team and neurosurgical services available around the clock, written diagnosis and care protocols, close coordination between the emergency department and emergency transport, and encourage the ability to have a dedicated stroke unit, in addition to specific clinical expectations. Stroke is an emergency, so you should know the signs and symptoms. If you suspect that you or someone you know is having a stroke, call 911 right away.

Crozer-Keystone Village Offers Resources for Children Caring for Parents  

Many caregivers have the responsibility of caring for an aging parent. Some spend their free time completing chores, others find they need to take time off from work or — even worse —handle an emergent issue while on the job.

The Crozer-Keystone Village could become one of your greatest assets. For just $25 a month, an individual can access all the high-quality, reliable services and providers available through CK Village. Some of our providers even offer a discount to CK Village members. All services are coordinated by a Navigator (who not only makes referrals for daily living services, but can make and remind you of those medical appointments). For those who want their own membership as well as for their aging parents (or a disabled, dependent child over age 18) we offer the CK Village at the discounted price of $49.95 per month (includes up to four memberships). Membership is open to those ages 50 and up.

Call 1-800-CKHS-KEY (1-800-254-7539) or visit http://ckvillage.crozer.org.