St. Luke’s University Health Network recently earned an Achievement Award from The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) for its outstanding efforts to improve health care in the state.
Fourteen award recipients were selected from 127 submissions for their exceptional work and innovation in patient care, community outreach and staff leadership.
“This is an outstanding achievement,” said St. Luke’s Vice President and Chief Quality Officer Donna Sabol. The project illustrates how St. Luke’s commitment to excellence results not only in better patient outcomes, but also cost savings that are reflected in the network’s lower prices, she said.
St. Luke’s continues to hold the distinction of winning the most HAP Achievement Awards of any health system in the state, having won 20 awards since 2010.
St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem (FILE PHOTO)
St. Luke’s winning project, “Developing an Industry-Leading Vaccine Management Program,” identified ways to reduce vaccine storage and handling deficiencies that lead to reduced vaccine efficacy and vaccine wastage. It was submitted by Tracy Arnold, BSN, RN; Christopher Smoyer, MBA; Mary Harris, BSN, RN; and Dr. Michael Abgott, MD.
Entries were evaluated by a 16-judge panel. The panelists, drawn from Pennsylvania and across the nation, represented the public and private sectors, business organizations, consumer groups and renowned health care quality institutes. The Achievement awards program began in 1978.
“HAP congratulates the winners of the 2019 Achievement Awards for their dedication to putting the patient at the center of everything they do,” said Andy Carter, HAP’s president and chief executive officer.
“Each winning submission is a reflection of the communities they serve,” Carter said. “Their commitment to breaking down siloes, leveraging new and exciting partnerships, and addressing their communities’ most critical needs is a testament to their focus on improving the quality, value, and outcomes of the care they provide.”
HAP is a statewide membership services association that represents nearly 240 organizations, as well as the patients and communities they serve. Additional information about HAP is available at HAPOnline.org.
Note: This local health news is brought to you in partnership with St. Luke’s University Health Network.
