Centra, Central Virginia's Medical Leader

Centra has been named as one of the top 25 Most Wireless health systems in the country by H&HN (Hospitals & Health Networks) magazine, and also earned the magazine’s award for the second consecutive year as one of the Most Wired health systems in the country. Centra is recognized as one of the top 25 Most Wireless as well as one of the 100 Most Wired hospitals in the nation in the July issue of the magazine, the journal of the American Hospital Association. The magazine surveys health care systems annually on the effective use of information technology in achieving clinical and operational excellence. Hospitals report on how they use information technology in five key areas: safety and quality, customer service, business processes, workforce and public health and safety. The July H&HN cover story is available at www.hhnmag.com. “These awards are an extraordinary honor for Centra, and for our regional community,” said George W. Dawson, Centra president and CEO. “Information technology is having a major impact in enhancing the quality and patient safety of care in hospitals across the country and we are pleased to be recognized as a national leader.” “These national awards are a testament to the vision…

Centra Stroobants Heart Center continues to earn top ranking among the nation’s best hospitals for heart surgery. For the third year in a row, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has awarded Centra a three-star rating—its highest rating for quality in cardiac surgery. Only 10 percent of the hospitals across the country participating in the analysis of national data were awarded the three-star ranking for cardiac surgery performance. Centra is the only health care system in Virginia to have received the award every year since its inception. “We are deeply honored to receive the top rating by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for the third time,” said David Frantz, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon. “This award is a testament to the excellence of our heart center and our cardiothoracic surgery program. Centra patients can be assured they are receiving the highest quality care available in the country.” The STS National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, established 20 years ago, is considered the national gold standard for cardiothoracic surgery. Based on its database, STS uses a comprehensive rating system to compare the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country. Centra submits data to the STS database quarterly. “The STS considers four core…

Centra has received the United Way’s Ron Dolan Spirit of Caring Award. The award is bestowed to an individual or an organization having a long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life in central Virginia through services that help citizens meet their urgent needs. The United Way says Centra "epitomizes this commitment to strengthening our community through programs and services that inspire daily acts of care to help others. Centra has maintained a deep commitment over the years to the mission of United Way and the central Virginia Community. Centra’s management team provides inspirational leadership to their employees who respond by generously giving to United Way every year through their time, talent and resources. Centra’s employees serve on United Way of Central Virginia’s Board of Directors, actively volunteer in Day of Caring, and are endlessly creative and enthusiastic when conducting their workplace campaign. Centra is an important and appreciated member of our corporate community, and we are indebted to all of their employees for continuing the legacy of Ron Dolan’s caring spirit." The late Ron Dolan was a longtime member of Centra’s Board of Directors. In addition, Centra was one of seven companies whose combined employee and corporate giving exceeded…

By Patti McCue, RN, D.Sc., Chief Nursing Officer, CentraTaken from an aricle for McKesson Performance Strategies publication. Meeting Magnet ExpectationsAt Centra, we have a motto that we live by: "Excellent Care... Every Time." Participating in the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® is one way we make sure that there is substance behind the sentiment contained in these words. Centra attained Magnet status in 2005 and is seeking recertification in 2009.To earn the prestigious recognition, organizations must undergo a rigorous evaluation that centers on five model components: Transformational Leadership Structural Empowerment Exemplary Professional Practice New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements Empirical Outcomes We have found that the certification process has prompted our two-hospital system to zero in on how nurses work, their productivity and clinical outcomes. Controlling the Care Process with Electronic DataOur quest to achieve and maintain Magnet status has led us to closely examine the nursing role. For example, instead of acting as "task masters," Centra nurses now take ownership and control of the entire multidisciplinary care process, ultimately working to ensure that we continually deliver outstanding outcomes.To do so, nurses rely on Horizon Clinicals® solutions from McKesson to support an interdisciplinary care planning approach. By accessing…