JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa. – June 23, 2006 – The Cardiovascular Unit (CVU) at Jefferson Regional Medical Center has been honored with the VHA National Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence.  This intensive care unit had no blood stream infections related to central lines for two six month periods beginning in the last quarter of 2004.

Based in Irving, Texas, VHA Inc. is a health care provider alliance of more than 2,400 not-for-profit health care organizations. VHA recognizes those organizations that achieve a high level of performance as measured by clinical quality indicators of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

“The recognition from VHA for our work toward reducing hospital-acquired infections reinforces the recent accolades that Jefferson Regional has earned for its open-heart program, orthopedic program and vascular services,” said Thomas P. Timcho, president and CEO. “This award demonstrates our continuing commitment to providing quality medical care as we strive to become the best community hospital in the nation.”

VHA Vice President Marilyn Rudolph said the CVU staff has earned the right to be very proud of their accomplishments.

“You are in a very small minority of organizations across the country earning this award by achieving zero bloodstream infections for two consecutive six month periods,” she said. “Even more significant is that you have exceeded the award criteria with your current performance of zero bloodstream infections for nine months to date.” She added that the elimination of infections and the performance of the CVU staff make a difference in people’s lives.

The staff was nominated for the award by Beverly Flannery, RN, manager, Infection Control, in recognition of their efforts.