LIJ Medical Center was recently recognized for its successes in improving healthcare in the clinical areas of heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia, thanks to the interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork between quality management, nursing and physicians.

LIJ Medical Center is one of 15 facilities across New York State to receive “IPRO’s 2008 Quality Awards,” given annually by IPRO, New York State’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, which recognizes health care providers that demonstrate a commitment to improving health care services in the state.

“Long Island Jewish Medical Center has shown that a collaborative, focused effort can lead to tangible improvements in the quality of care delivered to New York’s Medicare beneficiaries,” says Clare B. Bradley MD, MPH, senior vice president and chief medical officer, IPRO. “Quality improvement is a complex and time-consuming process, and we thank LIJ for its commitment to the health of New Yorkers.”

Staff from LIJ Medical Center received the award at IPRO’s annual meeting in June in Queens. LIJ Medical Center was recognized because of its exemplary performance on a wide range of quality improvement activities. The hospital exceeded expected targets in the Appropriate Care Measure Project and the facility has consistently been ranked among the top hospitals for the past year in IPRO’s Appropriate Care Measure Collaborative.

“We are proud to receive the IPRO Quality Award because it recognizes the ongoing commitment and active participation of our staff and physicians in improving patient care,” said John Steel, executive director of LIJ Medical Center. “This achievement demonstrates to the community we serve that LIJ is continually striving to enhance the quality of patient care that we deliver.”