Carper, Coons, Carney congratulate Wilmington VA Medical Center for being named top performer

Wilmington, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper, Chris Coons and U.S. Representative John Carney (all D-Del.) congratulated Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Friday on its second straight year of being recognized by The Joint Commission as a top performer on key health care quality measures for 2011/2012. The Medical Center was one of 19 VA medical facilities listed as a top performer based on The Joint Commission’s review of evidence-based care processes that are closely linked to positive patient outcomes.

“Once again, the VA Medical Center in Wilmington has been honored as a top performer in delivering health care,” Senator Carper, a veteran of the Navy, said. “I am proud of the doctors, nurses and staff that work hard each and every day to make our Medical Center stand out among the best in the nation.”

“Our veterans selflessly served our country and they have earned high-quality medical care,” Senator Coons said. “This announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs reminds us what many Delawareans already knew: the medical staff at the Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center care deeply about their patients and are top professionals in their field.  I congratulate our state’s VA Medical Center on this achievement and look forward to continuing to stand with our veterans.”

“I’m very proud that for the second time Wilmington’s Medical Center has been named one of the top performing VA healthcare facilities in the nation,” Congressman Carney said.  “The brave men and women who serve in the armed forces deserve the best medical care possible.  The doctors, nurses, and staff at the Wilmington center are dedicated and work toward achieving this goal every day.  Congratulations to the entire staff for this much deserved recognition.”

“We at VA are very pleased with The Joint Commission recognition,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. “We are proud of the medical facilities that made this list, proving VA’s commitment to providing the high-quality care our Veterans have earned through their service. This achievement demonstrates the hard work that each and every VA medical staff member undertakes to serve Veterans.”

While all 152 VA medical facilities are accredited by The Joint Commission, the list recognizes facilities that are the top performers based on The Joint Commission’s review of evidence-based care processes that are closely linked to positive patient outcomes. Eight VA facilities, including the one in Delaware, have received the Top Performer status for two consecutive years – a noteworthy distinction. Three new accountability measure sets are included in the calculation for this year’s Top Performers program: stroke, venous thromboembolism, and inpatient psychiatric services.  This year’s program recognizes Joint Commission-accredited hospitals for a significant achievement in accountability measure performance. 

In addition to being named in this report, Top Performers are highlighted at www.jointcommission.org and The Joint Commission’s Quality Check website: www.qualitycheck.org.