Excela Health Frick Hospital was lauded by state health officials on Tuesday for having no regulatory violations or major life-safety issues throughout a two-year state licensing period.
The Mt. Pleasant hospital was one of six out of 216 health care facilities in the state to receive an Excellence in Health Care Compliance award from the state Department of Health.
Health Secretary Michael Wolf, who presented the award, said it's not always the best day for a facility when officials from the department show up, so the award is a means to recognize places that perform well.
“We're here to honor the exceptional work being done here by all of you,” Wolf told a conference room filled with doctors, nurses and hospital administrators.
Facilities that receive the award have no citations during their state licensure survey, a multi-day, on-site visit conducted every two years by health officials that evaluates aspects of the hospital, from the physical building to record keeping to patient care. It covers federal regulations and Medicare conditions.
The award recipients have no major deficiencies noted during unannounced life-safety visits, which are spot checks to ensure the hospital operates at the same level consistently, not just when officials visit for the survey, said Robin Jennings, a spokeswoman for Excela.
The hospital had to submit reports and be prepared to show officials multiple types of documents, such as a random clinician's personnel file containing proof of licensure, Jennings said.
“It speaks incredibly well of the facility” to receive the award, Wolf said.
Maryann Singley, vice president of patient care services for Excela, said the hospital is pleased to be among the select few to do so.
“The distinction is a testament to our commitment to continuous survey readiness and affirms staff attention to the details of regulatory compliance,” Singley said.
Frick Hospital's survey was conducted during the 2012-13 survey period, Jennings said.
After the award presentation, Wolf planned to tour the third floor and emergency departments at the hospital, officials said.
Other hospitals receiving the award this year were UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Erie, Hanover Hospital in York County, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Delaware County and LifeCare Hospitals of Chester County.
Frick received the Silver Plus Heart Failure Award from the American Heart Association, honoring the hospital for scoring well on various issues of patient care in heart-failure cases for 12 consecutive months.
This is the first time an Excela hospital has been recognized for its heart-failure care, but all three hospitals, including Excela Westmoreland in Greensburg and Excela Latrobe, have been recognized with similar awards for stroke care, said Denise Addis, director of value-based quality for Excela.
Kari Andren is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-850-2856 or kandren@tribweb.com.
