FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rhinebeck, NY – January 26, 2012 – Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck was recognized recently by the Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association (NorMet) and the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC) for its outstanding clinical achievement. Northern Dutchess was the region’s first place winner in the division/unit category of the NorMet Patient Safety and Quality Awards for its decrease in the number of surgical site infections (SSI’s) following total joint replacement of the hip and knee. Representatives from NorMet visited the hospital to present the award to key staff and physicians involved in this initiative on January 18th.

“(Your program) contributed to the hospital’s ability to achieve a 50% cut to SSIs. NDH already enjoyed a LOW rate of less than 2%, so you should be especially proud. Whether we are talking healthcare or any other industry, going from good to great, making that last incremental step up a mountain can be the most difficult to achieve,” stated Angela Skretta, Vice President of the NorMet Hospital Association. “Higher quality… safer care and happier patients… helping over 65,000 people who visit your hospital every year… sounds like a picture perfect example of health care reform to me!”

Northern Dutchess Hospital, a Health Quest affiliate, is a 68-bed, acute care hospital located in Rhinebeck, NY. The Health Quest system includes Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie and Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel. For more information about any of Northern Dutchess Hospital’s services, log on to www.health-quest.org/ndh.

L to R: Lori Armstrong, NDH Bone and Joint Coordinator,  Gail Richardson, Director of Surgical Services, Mark Tack, DO, Director of Infectious Diseases NDH, Brenda Martin,  Infection Control RN, John Sabia, MD, Director of ER, Russell Tigges, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon with NDH Bone and Joint Center, Denise George, President and CEO, NDH, Lisa Corcoran, NorMet, Angela Skretta, NorMet

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