Hospital Happenings

Find out what’s going on at your community hospital this week

LVHHN Honored for Nursing Excellence

Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network has again earned the nation’s highest seal of approval for nursing care. Fewer than 4 percent of American hospitals earn Magnet status. “Magnet recognizes that our nurses have the resources they need for top-quality caregiving, and it is an indictor for patients of the level of care they can expect to receive,” says Terry Capuano, R.N., senior vice president of clinical services. Lehigh Valley Hospital – one of eight Magnet hospitals in Pennsylvania – first earned Magnet status in 2002. Hospitals must repeat the rigorous inspection process every four years.

New Policy Gets Family More Involved

As part of LVHHN’s continuing effort to provide better quality of care, and patient comfort during hospital visits, families will now be able to stay with their loved one, whenever they want, for as long as they want and become more involved in their care. “It’s so stressful having a child or loved one in the hospital,” says Karen Good, R.N. “How can we decide for the family who’s allowed to be with them and when?”

Employees Help save $12 Million

For 10 years, LVHHN employees have found ways to eliminate redundant tasks, find better quality equipment at a better price and more – all to help reduce costs and provide more efficient quality care. Since its launch in September 1996, LVHHN employees have submitted a total of 5,063 ideas, which have resulted in a cost savings of more than $12 million.

Spanish Interpreters Help Connect Our Community

Bi-lingual members of the community now have a chance to become Spanish medical interpreters. The new program teaches Spanish speaking community members how to interpret in the medical environment and gives them the opportunity to build a new career. The training is free - but in exchange, the interpreters volunteer 30 hours of their time at The Caring Place, a medical clinic in downtown Allentown. The program was created by LVHHN’s Community Exchange, a service that helps you donate your skills and in return, you receive help from another person in the community.

LVHHN Gets Top Honors for Use of Technology

LVHHN uses the latest technology and resources to give you the best care. Here’s the proof: LVHHN was recognized as the only hospital in Pennsylvania to be named among the “100 Most Wired” and “25 Most Wireless” hospitals in the U.S. LVHHN was also a recipient of the Innovator Award for its use of technology in care. LVHHN was one of only three hospitals in the U.S. to receive the Innovator Award. The Most Wired/Wireless lists are sponsored by Hospitals and Health Networks, the magazine of the American Hospital Association.

Among the Nation’s Best in Eight Specialties

Lehigh Valley Hospital ranks as one of America’s Best hospitals in eight specialties, more than LVH or any other hospital in the region has ever achieved. The list, compiled by U.S. News & World Report, ranks us among the nations leading hospitals for cancer care, digestive disorders, endocrinology, heart care and heart surgery, kidney disease, orthopedics, respiratory disorders and urology. U.S. News & World Report also considers whether hospitals have Magnet status - the highest designation for nursing excellence - when rating hospitals. LVHHN has been a Magnet hospital for four years and is the only one in the region.

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