New Island Awarded a Quality Respiratory Care Institution

New Island Hospital Receives Award as a
Quality Respiratory Care Institution

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) has once again awarded New Island Hospital a Quality Respiratory Care Institution (QRCR) for 2009. New Island has received this award since 2007. To quote the AARC, "The citizens in your community are lucky to have a facility such as yours, in which they can be assured of receiving the highest standards of respiratory care."

Approximately 15% or 700 hospitals out of 5,000 in the United States have been named Quality Respiratory Care institutions. Hospitals earning the QRCR ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to strict criteria governing their respiratory care services. To qualify for recognition New Island Hospital provided documentation showing it meets the following conditions:

• •·         All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital are credentialed by CRT    or RRT
• •·         Respiratory therapists are available 24 hours a day/night
• •·         Other personnel qualified to perform specific procedures, and the amount of supervision required for personnel must be designated in writing
• •·         A physician or osteopathy is designated as medical director of respiratory care services

This AARC program grew out of a concern from health care leaders and the community regarding the safety and quality of services provided to patients. Hospitals that meet the QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines, and should be commended for their dedication to superior high quality care. New Island is proud to have earned this award three years in a row.