Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital Named 2012 Franklin Award of Distinction Winner

PIH is the first hospital in Southern California to receive this national award for hospital case management

On Friday, April 27, 2012, The Joint Commission and the American Case Management Association (ACMA) presented Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital’s (PIH) Care Management team with the 2012 Franklin Award of Distinction at the ACMA National Conference in Denver, Colo. PIH is the first hospital in Southern California to receive the award and one of only three West Coast recipients since the first Franklin award was presented in 2003.

"The PIH team-based care model – which includes proactive daily rounds with the patient care team – distinctively characterized their case management service," says L. Greg Cunningham, MHA, CEO, ACMA. "The hospital's investment in social medicine with post-hospital discharge clinics and dedicated staff in the homeless shelter are evidence of the organization's community commitment and the recognition of patients' and case management's needs."

PIH Care Management program’s team-based approach to case management provides for common policies and procedures, electronic case management tools, and a collaborative practice approach that includes nurses, social workers, physicians, patients, caregivers and the community.

“Our approach to Care Management has been successful due to the partnerships we’ve built across the different disciplines that make up our team,” said Jill Schuyler, Director of Care Management. “Pinpointing areas where we could respond proactively has also been beneficial. Having a registered nurse practitioner position at the Whittier Area First Day Coalition homeless shelter has significantly reduced homeless patients’ unnecessary admissions.”

Named for Benjamin Franklin, the co-founder of the first organized hospital in the United States, the award represents the type of leadership and forward thinking that distinguish the hospitals or health systems recognized as Franklin Award recipients.

"It is an honor to receive recognition as a national leader for our care management program," said PIH President and CEO Jim West. "Receiving this award of distinction is a testament to the dedication of our care management team's focus on patient advocacy and the organization's commitment to delivering quality healthcare to our community."

A panel of national experts, including nurses, social workers and other healthcare professionals identified by ACMA and The Joint Commission, carefully reviewed the nominations and selected PIH. Evaluations were based on the organization’s commitment to a collaborative philosophy and an interdisciplinary process for case management.

“This award is a reflection of the innovation and dedication that our team consistently uses to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients,” said PIH Chief Nursing Officer Reanna Thompson, RN, BSN, MSN. “We partner with our community to solve problems outside the hospital walls and ensure access to care that is both highly effective and lower cost.”

For more information about PIH, visit www.pih.net.

About Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital
Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH) is a 400-plus bed acute care, non-profit hospital which was founded in 1959 with the community’s trust and support — values retained today by maintaining the highest standards in medical services, in turn making us the area’s acknowledged leading healthcare center. Through commitment to outstanding patient care, respect and compassion for all, responsiveness, integrity, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship, the PIH team is devoted to serving the needs of its community. PIH’s healthcare team is comprised of a stellar clinical staff of almost 600 board-certified physicians representing a broad range of medical specialties, highly qualified nurses, and other exemplary staff. Those who are interested in supporting PIH via a donation, may visit www.pih.net and click the “donate now” button to make a gift to the PIH Foundation.

Monique Rodriguez
Public Relations Manager
Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital
12401 Washington Blvd.
Whittier, CA 90602
Phone 562.698.0811 Ext. 81127
Fax 562.789.5925

This release was published on openPR.