1/2009

Continued quality recognition and growth in net patient revenue highlight 2008 at Sharon Regional

Sharon Regional Health System received a number of additional quality recognitions and awards during fiscal year 2008, plus noted a significant growth in net patient revenue. These and other highlights were shared with the SRHS board of directors during their recent annual meeting.

VHA presented the Health System with four additional APEX (Achieving Patient Excellence) awards in 2008 for demonstrating excellence in patient care, specifically related to zero catheter-related blood stream infections in both the cardiovascular and intensive/coronary care units and zero ventilator-assisted pneumonia in the same units.

A Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) report in April showed Sharon Regional had lower infection rates than other hospitals in its peer group and lower than the state averages in a number of categories. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations awarded Sharon Regional its Gold Seal of Approval following a full accreditation visit during the fiscal year.

Sharon Regional's heart bypass and heart valve replacement surgical programs again met or exceeded national quality benchmarks in 2008 as set by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, while its interventional cardiology program bettered the national standard of 90 minutes for "Door to Balloon Time" (time of Emergency Room arrival until the blocked vessel was opened in the cath lab with angioplasty during an acute heart attack) set by the American College of Cardiology.

During 2008 additional heart capabilities were added in electrophysiology services through the efforts of Maninder Bedi, M.D., who is triple board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and cardiac electrophysiology. Additional heart specialization was also added when J. Ronald Mikolich, M.D., an MRI/CT cardiology specialist, joined Sharon Regional during the year. Dr. Mikolich utilizes cardiac CT angiography and cardiac MRI to diagnose blocked arteries to the heart, malfunctioning heart valves, impaired heart muscle function, and congenital heart disease.

Sharon Regional experienced a 14.3percent growth in net patient revenue during fiscal year 2008, the largest percentage growth of any acute care hospital in western Pennsylvania according to a survey published by the Pittsburgh Business Times in its November issue. The revenue growth moved Sharon Regional to the 9th position of the 25 Largest Pittsburgh-Area Hospital Organizations as published by the Times.

"The Health System's position as Mercer County's largest employer and health provider was again strongly reinforced by our accomplishments and growth in 2008," says John Zidansek, president and CEO. "Sharon Regional's growth in net patient revenue and continued quality recognition is a strong indicator of the growing number of individuals and families who are choosing Sharon Regional for their care. We feel this is a reflection of that fact that Sharon Regional is the only hospital in the Shenango Valley whose governing board live and reside in the community, and who are strongly committed to assuring that area residents have access to a hospital and health system whose programs and services are developed with the community's best interests in mind."

For the fiscal year, Sharon Regional recorded a $2,895,343 annual surplus (with $860,162 of that amount attributable to income from operations). Non-operating income (primarily investment returns) was $2,035,181.

Leading the way in contributing to the growth in net patient revenue were the double-digit increases in medical oncology and radiation oncology visits to Sharon Regional's Cancer Care Center in Hermitage. The Center added additional expertise and capabilities during the year with the addition of John Comerci, M.D., gynecologic oncologist and Lawrence Wickerham, M.D., geneticist, plus the availability for participation in national clinical trials.

Sharon Regional also noted a significant increase in mammography procedures done at its Breast Care Center, located within the new Diagnostic and Imaging Center in Hermitage. Sharon Regional is the only hospital in Mercer County with 100 percent digital mammography capabilities along with a team of dedicated breast imaging specialists. Dr. Donald Keenan, a highly respected and well known breast surgeon from Pittsburgh, joined Sharon Regional in 2008 and along with Ravi Sachdeva, M.D. and other specialists, offers a breast care program that is unequaled in the region.

During 2008 Sharon Regional also experienced growth in outpatient testing, outpatient physical and occupational therapy, and utilization of its new Therapeutic Pool located adjacent to the Rehab Center in Hermitage.

Other accomplishments during 2008 included:
· The development of a new Lung Center as a multidisciplinary resource for consultation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with lung cancer or suspected lung cancer
· The introduction of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Mercer County through the installation of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at the Advanced Wound Recovery Center in Hermitage
· The opening of a home health office at the Brookfield Family Medicine Center
· The development of a new Asthma Clinic through the offices of Drs. Jeffrey Lazar and Samer Makhoul
· The opening of a satellite office for behavioral health services in New Castle
· The addition of new board of director members Attorney James P. Epstein, Attorney Mary Ann Odem, and Diane Gardner
· The development of a new Sports Injury Clinic at 2360 Highland Road as an addition to the Sports Medicine program
· The Sharon Regional School of Nursing's May graduating class earning a 96% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam
· The donation of a new fitness course (with other community funding assistance) to Buhl Farm Park for community wellness in honor of G. Leo Winger, who served 40+ years on the SRHS board of directors
· The successful recruitment of a number of new physicians and specialists to the Health System including Samir Wahib, D.O., obstetrics/gynecology; Keith Lustig, M.D., orthopedic surgery/sports medicine; Gary Marrone, M.D., cardiothoracic surgery; Robert Kamenski, M.D., Matthew Hartman, M.D., and Bibianna Klepchick, M.D., radiology; Heidi Bee, D.O., family medicine, Alan Evangelista, D.P.M., foot and ankle surgery; Sharon Zemel, M.D., pediatric endocrinology, and Kayal Sambandam, M.D., pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine.

For more information on any service call our Health Information Center at 724-983-5518.