Jefferson Regional Medical Center has received the Achieving Patient Care Excellence (APEX) Award from VHA Pennsylvania, the regional arm of VHA Inc., a national health care alliance. Jefferson Regional’s Intensive Care Unit was honored for its work to prevent and reduce the incidence of catheter-related blood stream infections. The award recognizes the ICU’s achievement of no central line infections for 11 consecutive months, from February through December, 2007.

Accepting the award at a luncheon at Bedford Springs Hotel, Bedford, were Jefferson Regional clinical staff members Jewell Coulter, patient care manager, ICU and Dialysis; Carol Mayfield, team leader, ICU; Charles Fine, RN, and Paula Roesch, RN.

Cliff Shannon, consultant with Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative, said, “Public expectations, payer demands and government mandates are pushing hospitals to provide better care. By recognizing these select hospitals with clinical quality awards, VHA is demonstrating that hospitals can overcome many obstacles that often stand in the way of achieving clinical excellence. They are to be congratulated for their fine work.”