Albany Hospital Decorated With Achievements February 21, 2022 Samaritan Albany General Hospital successfully achieved re-accreditation of the National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations. The accreditation requirements focus on standards of excellence in all aspects of the organization as set by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The accreditation program by DNV, an independent global certification provider, is the only one to integrate the ISO 9001 Quality Management System with the Medicare Conditions of Participation. “The DNV program is consistent with our long-term commitment to quality and patient safety,” said Dan Keteri, chief executive officer for SAGH. “Our dedicated staff collaborate every day to ensure our patients receive top-quality care from the moment they walk in the door.” DNV’s accreditation program involves annual hospital surveys, instead of every three years, and encourages hospitals to openly share information across departments and to discover improvements in clinical workflows and safety protocols. SAGH also received re-certification as a Primary Plus Stroke Center, affirming the hospital’s readiness to handle a full range of stroke-related medical problems. SAGH has held this certification since 2018 and recently brought on a full-time stroke coordinator. “This certification let’s our community know we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible stroke care,” said Jodie Andrews, stroke coordinator at SAGH. “It’s a combination of the right equipment, personnel and training to quickly assess and treat strokes. This includes the ability to efficiently transfer patients in the rare instances they require treatment beyond our capabilities. Achieving certification validates all the effort we have put into this program and to ensuring the health and safety of our patients.” The DNV Primary Plus Stroke Center Certification is based on standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, and affirms that the medical center addresses the full spectrum of stroke care – diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education – and establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is a leading cause of death, killing nearly 130,000 people each year, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. Because stroke or “brain attack” effects blood flow to the brain, rapid and effective treatment can save lives and provide the best chance of limiting the extent of long-term damage. Finally, SAGH is in the top eight of Oregon hospitals to receive the highest marks for nurse communication from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS). HCAHPS is a national, standardized survey of hospital patients about their experiences during a recent inpatient hospital stay. “Our patient feedback is tremendous, and we consistently receive exceptional accolades from our patients,” said Melinda Papen, vice president of nursing at SAGH. “Our team works hard to provide a positive and unforgettable patient experience and we are very proud of our achievement.”
