FOR RELEASE: May 1, 2004

VHA Recognizes Crouse Hospital for Surpassing

CMS and JCAHO Standards for Clinical Excellence in Cardiac Care

Syracuse, NY – VHA Inc. has recognized Crouse Hospital for exceeding national standards for clinical excellence in cardiac care. Crouse performed all the key processes of care for greater than 90 percent of patients suffering from heart attack. These include providing aspirin upon arrival and at discharge, time taken from emergency department to cardiac intervention and inpatient mortality.

In these indicator categories, Crouse performed better than other VHA-member hospitals in the region and nationally. Organizations performing at this level represent clinical excellence, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO).

VHA – a national healthcare alliance that serves more than 2,200 leading community-owned healthcare organizations and their affiliated physicians – recognized Crouse at its annual Leadership Conference, held recently in San Diego. Crouse was one of only 20 member hospitals nationwide to be recognized. “We celebrate Crouse Hospital’s exemplary performance, and are particularly pleased the Crouse team has worked with VHA’s clinical team to disseminate information on best practices so that other organizations can improve the quality of care they offer in their communities,” said Stuart Baker, MD, executive vice president at VHA.

With more cardiologists on staff than any other hospital in Central New York, Crouse Hospital’s Cardiac Care Center provides 24-hour coverage in its state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization suite. The hospital’s comprehensive cardiac services include the only pediatric catheterization program for children in Central New York.

Based in Irving, Texas, VHA comprises nearly 26 percent of the nation's community hospitals, including many of the nation’s largest and most respected institutions. VHA helps members identify, integrate and implement best practices that will improve clinical and operational performance.

# # #