Two major indicators of a hospital’s ability to offer quality diagnosis and treatment are experience and reputation. Based on national studies, the more experience a hospital and its staff have in treating heart disease, orthopedic concerns and cancer, the better the patient results.

At Lancaster General, we perform more open heart surgeries, cardiovascular procedures and orthopedic surgeries, and we deliver more babies than any other local hospital. This means that our teams of doctors and nurses are experts in caring for patients in various specialties.

Health Care Choices, a not-for-profit organization that educates the public about healthcare, recommends that healthcare consumers check details such as patient volumes and specialties provided. The organization also suggests looking for accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Last year Lancaster General received Joint Commission Accreditation with Full Standards Compliance, which means that we meet Joint Commission standards in all applicable areas.

Awards and honors, such as JCAHO accreditation, signify a hospital’s commitment to providing quality care. For instance, in 2002 Lancaster General earned Magnet recognition. This four-year honor, awarded by the American

Nurses Credentialing Center, demonstrates a hospital’s commitment to nursing excellence. This award is based largely on the talent and attitude of the nurses. Only 101 of the 4,908 community hospitals in the country are Magnet hospitals. In a recent Reader’s Digest article, “Condition: Critical,” the author laments that few communities have a Magnet hospital within driving distance.

But you do. Lancaster General is the only Magnet hospital in Lancaster County. This means you have access to a healthcare organization with a proven level of excellence in nursing care. Wirthlin Worldwide (a strategic research and consulting firm) conducted a national survey and found that 93 percent of the public would have greater confidence in the overall quality of a hospital if that hospital passed the Magnet standards.

While accreditations and designations give insight to a hospital’s capabilities, it’s important to know that your hospital puts patients first. You should also know how committed the hospital is to improving patient safety and reducing medical errors.

Providing safe, quality care to you and your family is our main priority. In August 2003, we introduced the MedPoint Bridge Medical System at Lancaster General Hospital as a double-check for nurses to use while administering medication. This state-of-the-art system employs bar code technology to reduce the potential for medication errors. Lancaster General was the first hospital in the state and the 14th in the nation to use MedPoint at patient bedsides.

After you have researched a hospital’s safety programs, credentials, achievements and scope of services, you should also consider other factors, including:

• Support services: What services does the hospital provide to help you and your family deal with a serious illness or injury?
  Answer: Social workers, chaplains, specially-trained nurses and support groups offer support and guidance when you need them most.
• Education: Does the hospital offer materials and programs to explain your condition and treatment.
  Answer: Through classes, presentations, libraries and take-home materials, Lancaster General helps educate you on your condition and treatment options so you can make informed decisions.
• Location: Are services easy to access?
  Answer: Lancaster General facilities are located throughout the community to ensure that you have safe and convenient access to quality healthcare, wherever you may live.