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SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, August 14, 2019 - Saratoga Hospital was recently awarded the 2019 Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety from the Healthcare Association of New York State at its 51st Annual Membership Conference in Saratoga Springs. The hospital was one of five healthcare organizations recognized across the state. Specifically, Saratoga Hospital received this award for their efforts and outcomes in “Achieving Universal Sepsis Excellence through a Patient- and Staff-centered Culture along with Alignment of Purpose, People and Processes.” 

“We are thrilled and honored to have achieved this highly competitive award,” Associate Vice President of Quality at Saratoga Hospital Anna Gaeta said. “Saratoga Hospital is leading the way in sepsis early identification and proper treatment protocols, resulting in lower readmissions, fewer deaths, and better overall outcomes for patients. We couldn’t have done it without the hospital’s collaborative, patient-centered culture and the spirit of teamwork, which are the core of our success.” 

Sepsis is an illness caused by the body’s response to an infection, which can begin with something minor, such as a urinary tract infection or a small cut. If not identified early, it can rapidly become life-threatening. The initial symptoms can mimic common illnesses, making it difficult to recognize. In the midst of the New York State Department of Health’s statewide campaign to improve early detection and intervention, Saratoga Hospital initiated a new sepsis program that is working so well, other hospitals are reaching out for guidance.   

“We are happy to do what we can to help others save more lives,” Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Saratoga Hospital Timothy Brooks, MD, said. “With sepsis, every second counts, which is why collaboration across teams is so significant. Additionally, the Information Technology team’s development of our new sepsis digital smartboard gives us timely access to the data we need to make expedient treatment decisions. Of course, following evidence-based best practices and regularly educating staff greatly contribute to our patients’ positive outcomes, and the value of the passion and commitment of our Emergency Department staff and the Sepsis Improvement Team cannot be overstated.”  

Saratoga Hospital’s rate of 30-day readmissions for severe sepsis improved by 60% between 2015 and 2018, and mortality for severe sepsis improved by 43% during those years. Overall, the hospital’s performance in compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ and NYSDOH’s sepsis care recommendations, has placed Saratoga Hospital in the top 10% of hospitals in New York state and nationwide.    

For Jan Severance, RN, a quality risk specialist at Saratoga Hospital, the sepsis initiative really hits home. “Nine years ago, my mother was residing in an assisted living facility, where she developed septic shock. She slipped into a coma and ultimately died,” Severance said. “That is one reason I am so passionate about our program. I don’t want others to experience such loss.”

Presented annually, the Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety highlights significant achievement in improving quality and patient safety in healthcare delivery. Additional recipients this year included Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Rochester Regional Health, and Stony Brook University Hospital.
For more information about the Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety, please visit hanys.org. To learn more about Saratoga Hospital, please visit saratogahospital.org.  

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured from left to right is Nick Henley, vice president of external affairs, HANYS; Anna Gaeta, associate vice president of quality, Saratoga Hospital; and Robert Panzer, MD, quality steering committee chairman, HANYS, and associate vice president for patient care quality and safety and chief quality officer at Strong Memorial Hospital. Photo courtesy of HANYS.

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About Saratoga Hospital: Saratoga Hospital is the Saratoga region’s leading healthcare provider and the only acute-care facility in Saratoga County. The hospital’s multispecialty practice, Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, provides care at more than 20 locations, ensuring easy access to programs and services that can have the greatest impact on individual and community health. Saratoga Hospital has maintained Magnet designation for nursing excellence since 2004. Through its affiliation with Columbia Memorial Health and Albany Med, Saratoga Hospital is part of the largest locally governed health system in region. For more information: www.saratogahospital.org or www.facebook.com/SaratogaHospital.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hopper
Director, Marketing and Communications
518.583.8679
phopper@saratogahospital.org