Sentara Ranked #1 in Modern Healthcare

Sentara Healthcare was named the #1 most integrated healthcare system in the nation for 2010, according to SDI, a respected healthcare analytics firm. The annual SDI posting in Modern Healthcare magazine celebrates the most innovative, best-performing systems that lead the way in healthcare.

The SDI survey measures eight performance metrics including clinical and technology integration as well as services offered. For 2010, however, with the economy in recession, the financial stability metric took on added importance in measuring the performance of healthcare organizations. In that measure Sentara excelled. As revenues plunged during the recession, Performance Improvement initiatives curtailed $59 million in expenditures, which allowed Sentara to preserve jobs, enhance clinical excellence, continue the Sentara eCare® electronic medical records integration and grow outside of Hampton Roads in spite of the economy.

Sentara was also the #1 integrated system in 2001 and has been in the Top 10 for all 13 years the survey has been conducted. What's more, Sentara has been in the Top 5 for the last five consecutive years. Read more about it at ModernHealthcare.com

Scholarships Available for High School Seniors

Sentara Potomac Hospital is offering Endowment Fund Scholarships to deserving area high school seniors who are planning careers in healthcare. Scholarships will be awarded to Prince William County high school seniors who are planning to enter full-time courses of study in a healthcare field or nursing. This marks the 19th year that Endowment Fund Scholarships are awarded.

Healthcare scholarships will be in the amount of $1,000, with $500 for each of three additional school years of continued enrollment. The nursing scholarship will be in the amount of $1,000 with $1,000 for each of three additional years of continued enrollment.

In order to qualify for consideration, students must meet the following criteria: 1) Be a graduating senior of the class of 2010; 2) Be a Prince William County resident; 3) Plan to pursue a full-time course of study in healthcare or nursing. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 15, 2010.

Scholarship guidelines and applications can be downloaded from potomachospital.com. For more information, call (703) 670-1236.

Cancer Program Receives A+

The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted a three-year accreditation to the cancer program at Sentara Potomac Hospital. This marks the fourth consecutive time the cancer program has been surveyed and accredited by the Commission on Cancer.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1932, the Approvals Program sets standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to make sure they conform to those standards. Recognizing that cancer is a complex group of diseases, the program promotes consultation among surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer specialists. This team approach results in improved patient care.

“We are very proud to receive accreditation again,” says Masoom Kandahari, M.D., chairman of the Sentara Potomac Hospital Cancer Committee. “To be regarded as a high quality cancer program at a community hospital demonstrates the hard work that everyone here exhibits.”

A Commission on Cancer-approved cancer program focuses on prevention, early diagnosis, pretreatment evaluation, staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, surveillance for recurrent disease, support services, and end-of-life care.

“To receive approval, facilities voluntarily undergo a rigorous evaluation process and a review of performance,” says Dr. Kandahari. “Only one hospital in four is approved. Also, in order to maintain approval, facilities with approved cancer programs must undergo the on-site review every three years.”

Cancer care in your community
The Cancer Center at Sentara Potomac Hospital offers a full spectrum of services close to home so that patients do not have to spend valuable time traveling for treatment. It is equipped to provide the three main treatment options - surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Cancer patients and their families also benefit from several educational and support programs offered at Sentara Potomac Hospital.