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EDITORIAL: It Shows When You Really Care: WVU Hospitals Continues Tradition of Quality Care for Patients, Staff

Posted on: Monday, 20 March 2006, 09:01 CST

By The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Mar. 20--One adage has it that greatness lies not in trying to be somebody, but in trying to help somebody. We would ascribe that philosophy to WVU Hospitals -- as an institution -- whose blessings, when counted, far outweigh any shortcomings. Since last summer we have noted the honors, designations and accreditations WVUH has won for its efforts. Just last week WVU Hospitals received accreditation as a Primary Stroke Center, which, simply put, is a great cause for hope for thousands of stroke patients. Due to this program's staff and means to care for anyone suffering a stroke the outcome for stroke sufferers has improved. But even as comforting as knowing WVUH provides this level of care to stroke victims, and nearby Monongalia General Hospital complements and supplements many health care concerns, other designations for WVUH come equally recommended. In November 2005 the trauma center at WVU Hospitals was designated a Level One trauma center, a renewal of its status first awarded in 2001, by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and by the state. Space doesn't permit us here to go into detail about what this means, but if you ever ever face serious injury or tragedy you'll never forget it. Then in October 2005 the American Nurses Credentialing Center named WVU Hospitals a recipient of the Magnet award for excellence in nursing services. This program recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing philosophy and practice, as WVUH's more than 1,000 nurses do while continuing a tradition of providing quality health care. Although perhaps it does not directly translate into quality health care for patients, in September 2005 WVUH was named one of the 100 best places to be employed by Working Mothers magazine. Besides simply offering flextime options, compressed work weeks and standard benefits, WVUH also offers scholarships, on site childcare and an employee assistance program. More than 80 percent of WVUH's employees are women and being able to provide them with such a host of programs is invaluable, because without them parents cannot work. And in August 2005 the American Association of Retired Persons recognized WVUH as one of the Best Employers for Workers over 50. WVUH was one of 50 employers recognized nationwide. Retaining older workers not only pays immediate dividends as they help train and share knowledge with younger staff, but will also become invaluable in the years ahead as the nation's workforce ages. WVUH employs 650 people age 50 or older -- 18 percent of its workforce. Though there is no substitute for tender loving care when you are ill or injured we dare to say that WVU Hospitals embodies that, too.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

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Source: The Dominion Post (Morgantown, W.Va.)

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