News — For their continued highlighting of best practices in respiratory care, Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center is an award winner of the 2019-2020 American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Apex Recognition Award. Jersey Shore University Medical Center promotes patient safety by providing access to respiratory therapists to deliver their care and is among an elite group of 16 respiratory care departments from across the U.S. to receive this award in its inaugural year.
“Our exceptional respiratory team touches nearly all patients in the medical center,” says Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, regional president, southern market, Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are extremely proud of this recognition and applaud our experts who are dedicated to improving the quality of care for all patients to ensure the best outcome and the best patient experience possible.’’
The AARC Apex Recognition Award was developed in 2017 as a way for the AARC Board to recognize respiratory care departments that demonstrate high quality care.
“As a vital component of a well-rounded health care team, respiratory therapists work hard each day to deliver quality patient care,” said Thomas Kallstrom, MBA, RRT, FAARC, AARC executive director/CEO. “The specialized services and skills unique to respiratory care departments provide the necessary foundation for the total patient experience. We are thrilled to honor these organizations as Apex Recognition Award recipients.”
The AARC is dedicated to supporting the respiratory care profession. The award program distinguishes organizations for their commitment to excellence in professional development, evidence-based care, patient safety, patient satisfaction and quality improvement. The Apex Recognition Award includes five categories for recognition: acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, home medical equipment companies, entry-level educational programs, and dedicated transport teams.
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