Parkview recognized by American Hospital Association for improving community health
Fort Wayne, Ind. – Monday, June 27, 2011 — Parkview Health’s Integrated Community Nursing Program is one of five programs nationally to receive the American Hospital Association (AHA) NOVA Award.
The awards will be given at a July 19 ceremony during the AHA/Health Forum Leadership Summit in San Diego.
Parkview’s Integrated Community Nursing Program provides responsive, comprehensive and accessible health care options to the most disadvantaged in communities in northeast Indiana. This is done by bringing together area schools, local non-profit social service agencies, foundations, government agencies, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, and Parkview community nursing staff to identify health issues and needs specific to the community and provide services that include health screenings, immunizations, referrals, home visits, health care plans, follow-up, community and family education, and connection to a medical home.
“This is a tremendous honor for the community nursing program and Parkview,” said Sue Ehinger, chief operating officer, Parkview Hospital. “Our innovative and patient care-focused programs are designed to improve the health of the communities we serve. To be recognized as one of five programs in the country demonstrates Parkview’s commitment to providing excellent service. A special thank you to the community nursing staff for their tireless efforts to help those in need of care and support.”
Parkview results have included:
*Fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma patients
*More than 30,000 students have been vaccinated to protect from influenza
*Nearly 8,000 students each year receive vision screenings
*Over the past two years, more than 1,100 safety-approved cribs have been given to parents who might not otherwise be able to afford them.
*No deaths have occurred to infants due to unsafe sleep whose parents participated in a safe sleep education program
“Community nursing is proud to be part of a health system that is invested in the health of our communities,” said Connie Kerrigan, manager of community nursing, Parkview Hospital. “We are fortunate to be governed by a Board of Directors who are members of our communities and led by a CEO and leadership team who see the opportunity to improve the health of the communities we serve as an important part of our mission.”
Other winning programs:
*The Diabetes Collaborative in Chicago
*Emergency Department Consistent Care Program in Olympia, Wash.
*Milwaukee Health Partnership, Milwaukee and Glendale, Wis.
*Rochester Youth Violence Partnership in Rochester, N.Y.
Established in 1993, the AHA NOVA Award recognizes hospitals and health systems for their collaborative efforts toward improving community health.