Lehigh Valley Hospital

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The Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network is the largest employer in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.

Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, Pennsylvania, is the largest hospital in the Lehigh Valley and the flagship hospital of the Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network (LVHHN).

[edit] Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network Overview

Founded as the Allentown Hospital in 1899, LVHHN is currently represented by three clinical campuses -- Cedar Crest Boulevard and 17th & Chew in Allentown, and Muhlenberg in Bethlehem. The network’s key clinical areas are cancer treatment, cardiovascular medicine, mental health, neurosciences, pediatrics, surgery services, trauma, women's health, perinatal care, kidney transplantation and burn treatment. LVHHN is a major clinical campus for Penn State University's College of Medicine at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

[edit] Statistics

LVHN has 855 beds on its three campuses^[1][2]. In 2007 there were 50,070 admissions, 14,319 inpatient surgeries, 453,477 outpatient visits, 14,841 outpatient surgeries, 119,017 ER visits and 3,184 births in network hospitals^{[1] [2]}. LVHHN operates the third largest heart surgery program in Pennsylvania with more than 1,200 open-heart procedures performed each year ^[3]. Pennsylvania’s first Level I Trauma Center was at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest and this trauma center remains the only Level I trauma center in the Lehigh Valley with additional qualifications in pediatric trauma ^[3]. The LVHHN Cancer Center is the fourth largest in Pennsylvania and cares for more than 2,400 new patients each year ^[3].

[edit] Financials

In 2007 LVHHN’s operating revenue was $964 million with an operating margin of $96 million^[4] Approximately 2.5% of care was uncompensated care ^[4]. LVHHN is the Lehigh Valley’s largest employer ^[5].

[edit] Quality of care

Lehigh Valley Hospital has achieved national recognition continuously since 1995^[6] as one of U.S.News & World Report’s Best Hospitals^[7]. Lehigh Valley Hospital has been ranked by U.S.News & World Report eight times for cardiac care and cardiac surgery. The hospital has received a total of 28 specialty category listings in the past five years, including heart care and heart surgery; hormonal disorders including diabetes; digestive disorders; orthopedics; urology, and ear, nose and throat care^[6].

LVHHN hospitals are the only Lehigh Valley hospitals participating in the Leapfrog Group’s^[8] evaluation of health care safety, quality and customer value. Lehigh Valley Hospital is one of 39 hospitals nationwide to receive the 2007 Leapfrog Group Top Hospital award ^[8]. All LVHHN hospitals meet Leapfrog standards for patient safety ^[9]. All LVHHN campuses are accredited by the Joint Commission.^{[10][11] [12]}

[edit] Community service

The mission of LVHHN is to “…heal, comfort and care for the people of our community."^[13] Measurable Enhancement of the Status of Health (MESH) is a collaborative initiative of LVHHN funded by the Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust to facilitate community engagement, capacity building and social action ^[14]. MESH has partnered with more than 70 community agencies and organizations to deliver programs leading to the fluoridation of Allentown's water supply and other public health benefits. LVHHN publishes an annual “Report to Our Community” summarizing improvements to the health of the community that come from investments made by LVHHN.^[15]

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
• Named one of America's Best Hospitals for 2009 by Becker's Hospital Review