Breaking News

Health

Evangelical receives CMS Five-Star Quality Rating

LEWISBURG — Evangelical Community Hospital has received five out of five stars for overall quality from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the most recent release of its Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings. The scores released in April 2021 reflect data from 2017-2019. This is the first time the hospital has received the honor and Evangelical is the only five-star CMS hospital in the Central Susquehanna Valley region. Less than 14% of all healthcare providers in the country earned five stars, according to CMS. Only 22 facilities in Pennsylvania can claim this ...

Geisinger expert: Three benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine

With several COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the U.S., we have a powerful tool to help us overcome the coronavirus pandemic. But some people have concerns about being vaccinated against COVID-19. That’s where we come in. Common concerns around the COVID-19 vaccine include safety, ...

Evangelical receives grant for COVID-19 emergency fund

Evangelical Community Hospital was recently awarded a grant of $35,000 from the Ralph and Josephine Smith Fund at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. The funds will support the hospital’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund. “This grant is another fine example of how the community has stepped up to make sure the hospitals of the region stay strong during a time when that support is needed most,” said Kendra Aucker, president and CEO of Evangelical. “We are so grateful to the First Community Foundation Partnership and to Ralph and Josephine Smith for setting up a ...

UPMC hospitals awarded top quality marks from Leapfrog Group

Fourteen UPMC hospitals received top “A” grades from The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2021 Hospital Safety Grade. Leapfrog is a national organization that aims to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. “Now more than ever, UPMC is dedicated to providing the safest, highest quality care for our patients as we continue to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is possible because of the consistent effort every physician, nurse and staff member displays in our hospitals each day,” said Tami Minnier, UPMC’s chief quality officer. Each ...

US suicides dropped last year, defying pandemic expectations

NEW YORK — The number of U.S. suicides fell nearly 6% last year amid the coronavirus pandemic — the largest annual decline in at least four decades, according to preliminary government data. Death certificates are still coming in and the count could rise. But officials expect a ...

UPMC boosts pediatric emergency care in region

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh announced the expansion of pediatric emergency care services in north central Pennsylvania, ensuring children in the region have access to specialty care if needed when in the emergency department. This is the first UPMC Children’s specialty service offered in this region. Starting this week, providers caring for pediatric patients in the emergency departments at UPMC Cole, UPMC Lock Haven, UPMC Muncy, UPMC Wellsboro, and UPMC Williamsport can consult with a board-certified UPMC Children’s pediatric emergency medicine physician via ...