Blue Cross Award of Merit
WVMC only award winner from Treasure Valley
West Valley Medical Center is the only Treasure Valley health care facility to recently accept a 2010 Hospital Quality Award from Blue Cross of Idaho ― recognizing top-performing hospitals in the latter’s Hospital Quality Incentive Program, based on data from last year.
WVMC received the Award of Merit this year for its efforts in measuring patient safety and improving clinical outcomes.
“This is yet another encouraging step for West Valley Medical Center as we continue to strive for improved patient safety and satisfaction,” said Cheri Samuels, MSEd, RN, CPHQ, CPHRM, the hospital’s director of quality and risk management. “Our work is never done, but it’s important to know our efforts are making a difference in the lives of our patients.”
The Blue Cross incentive program was developed in collaboration with Idaho hospitals and the Idaho Hospital Association. The program evaluates several criteria, including the implementation of evidence-based measures known to improve health outcomes in treating pneumonia, heart attack and heart failure. It also assesses and promotes patient safety by reducing infections and surgical complications.
