The American Heart Association (AHA) has awarded East Jefferson General Hospital the Heart Failure Gold Performance Achievement Award, the highest award possible. The Heart Failure Award is part of the AHA’s Get with the Guidelines Program and signifies that institutions receiving the award have met the aggressive goals set forth by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.

This designation signifies higher quality of care for radiology oncology programs. East Jefferson General Hospital is the first facility in the region to earn ACR accreditation from the American College of Radiology (ACR). The accreditation program was established in 1986 as the extension of the Patterns of Care Study (PCS) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and is administered by the American College of Radiology. ACR accreditation is widely recognized as a benchmark measure of quality care.

With the latest rankings put out by CareChex, the industry leader in quality ratings, EJGH was named No. 1 in the state of Louisiana for overall hospital care, overall medical care, patient safety, gastrointestinal care, general surgery, pulmonary care and stroke care. The overall hospital care quality rating is measured based upon six core values made up of mortality rate, complications, patient quality, core process, patient safety and patient satisfaction. In the overall hospital care rankings, the hospital comes in as the only institution ranked in the top 10 in all of America.

The cancer registry at East Jefferson General Hospital has been awarded the 2015 Goal Seal of Excellence award, the top annual honor given out by the Louisiana Tumor Registry (LTR), the organization announced on Monday. The cancer registry earned the accolade for its timely reporting and meeting of all goals of data quality indicators, garnering the department the highest of three honors given by the LSU School of Health-based LTR.

East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH) is proud to announce that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for certification as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. This distinction signifies that EJGH has implemented the stringent, national guidelines needed for high-level stroke care. This honor also follows an intensive site visit and review by a panel of commission experts.

With a compilation of 13 five star ratings in various categories from Healthgrades, one of the leading evaluators of healthcare institutions; East Jefferson General Hospital outpaced all other New Orleans area hospitals according to the company’s most recent reports. EJGH received five star ratings in one category of cardiac, orthopedic and neuroscience care, two categories of pulmonary care and four categories of critical and gastrointestinal care. Along with the five star accolades, EJGH also received a pair of Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Awards with the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for General Surgery and the Gastrointestinal Care Excellence awards, both for the third consecutive year.

In 2012, East Jefferson General Hospital, for the third consecutive term, attained Magnet® recognition as part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. This voluntary credentialing program for hospitals recognizes excellence in nursing. This credential is the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice.

“Receiving Magnet recognition for the third time is an unprecedented achievement in our region,” says Dr. Mark J. Peters, EJGH President and CEO. “As the first in the state to receive a Magnet distinction in 2002, our nursing staff and entire organization, have helped set the bar for others to follow. For over a decade now, we have performed at a higher level while also demonstrating the leadership, dedication and commitment to continuous improvement.”

Being recognized as a Magnet facility for the third time speaks volumes for the level of patient care delivered at EJGH. East Jefferson continues to proudly belong to the Magnet community—a select group of 378 healthcare organizations out of nearly 6,000 in the U.S. Only 52 organizations in the nation have ever received a third, 4-year term. Hospitals must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

Cardiovascular Services at East Jefferson General Hospital cares for the heart of the East Jefferson community. The cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons work with a staff of highly trained nurses, therapists and technicians to deliver high quality patient care. For patients who are recovering from heart surgery, or who have had a diagnosis of heart disease, the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at EJGH is accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. For more information about our cardiology and cardiovascular services, call 504-503-4102.

The Diabetes Management Center offers evaluation, individual and group education and support for people living with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes. The center strives to empower patients to successfully manage their diabetes on a daily basis. The Louisiana Wound Care Specialties provides multidisciplinary outpatient treatment for patients with chronic non-healing wounds that can include wounds as a result of diabetes, excessive pressure (bedsores), circulatory conditions, trauma or surgery. Contact the Louisiana Wound Care Specialists at 504-503-4165 and The Diabetes Management Center at 504-503-5609.

Geriatric Services at East Jefferson General Hospital cares not only for patients, but also provides assistance for caregivers as well. The Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit is designed to cater to the unique needs of seniors with psychiatric disorders, providing the safe and comfortable environment essential to successful treatment. This secure, 11- bed psychiatric unit is designed to treat patients 65 or older with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses. For more information, please call 504-503-5890.

East Jefferson General Hospital’s Regional Cancer Center is a member of the MD Anderson Cancer Network and offers the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology in our community. The Regional Cancer Center is located in the Yenni Pavilion at the corner of Ithaca and Hudson Streets. Comprehensive services offered through this facility include infusion and radiation therapy, as well as inpatient oncology. EJGH also maintains a computerized database of all our patients diagnosed with, or treated for, cancer. This data allows the hospital to participate in patient care studies that will ultimately improve care for patients with cancer. The registry also holds weekly multidisciplinary meetings of physicians and other healthcare professionals to discuss cases for the benefit of current and future oncology patients. To reach a physician or our Cancer Care Navigators, call HealthFinder at 504-456-5000.

TThe goal of Pulmonary Rehabilitation is to restore the fullest functional capacity possible for patients with chronic lung disease. It involves patient education and physical conditioning to minimize the effects of disease. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation program is accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. To contact us, please call 504-503-8790.

Radiology and Interventional Associates of Metairie (RIAM) staffs the Radiology Department on a 24/7 basis, and maintains several fellowship-trained radiologists in multiple specialties, including neuroradiology, interventional, body imaging and musculoskeletal. Images are available to be viewed from your physician’s office soon after the completion of a study. The department has the most advanced technology in our region, including: 3-T MRI, Ultra-fast Nuclear Medicine Heart scanner, 64-Slice CT Scanner, PET/CT (Only scanner in state with high definition and time of flight imaging), Full Field Digital mammography system and a new Dual energy / Dual tube FLASH-CT. With the addition of East Jefferson Imaging Center (EJIC), patients now have a convenient, off-campus setting in which to access all of the radiological services available at the main hospital. EJIC is also proud to offer the region the Philips Panorama High Field, Open MRI—a spacious system designed to help larger patients or those with claustrophobic concerns feel at ease. For more information, please contact Radiology at 504-503-4314

Jefferson Radiation Oncology, first in the region to receive the American College of Radiology Accreditation, is staffed with a team of highly qualified physicians and nurses who are committed to providing patient centered care. The advanced radiation therapy equipment includes: Trilogy Cancer System, Novalis Tx, Brachytherapy, and the only dedicated Sensus skin cancer system in the region. For more information, please contact Radiation Therapy at 504-503-5139

EJGH’s Sleep Disorders Program can help diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia and chronic snoring, and restore restful sleep. Sleep disorders are diagnosed through sleep studies conducted in the Sleep Center. Our center has four bedrooms and a control room where a registered polysomnographic technician can monitor patients throughout the study. For additional information, please call 504-503-8700.

Developed by physicians and other healthcare professionals, the Total Joint Program at EJGH is an important aid to recovery after hip or knee replacement surgery. This service is provided at no extra charge to the patient. The Total Joint Program consists of preoperative education, an individual inpatient guide to recovery, assistance in discharge planning, and monitoring of recovery and progress at home. For general information, please call 504-456-9895.

Woman & Child Services cares for women at every stage of life. Whether expecting a baby or experiencing symptoms of menopause, a woman can find the education, support and expert medical care she and her family needs. Comprehensive healthcare services include labor, delivery and postpartum care, gynecologic care, Newborn Well baby nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care. EJGH offers ongoing family support and educational programs throughout the year. For more information, call Woman & Child Services at 504-503-5555.

Established in 1979, East Jefferson General Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team provides 9-1-1 service for the entire East Bank of Jefferson Parish, including Metairie, Kenner, and Harahan. EJGH’s emergency medical technicians and paramedics answer nearly 40,000 calls per year with an average response time of seven to eight minutes. EMS units are strategically placed throughout the service area to reduce response times.

Guest Services is located on the first floor of the hospital across from Patient Financial Services. Guest Services is open Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. In addition to the Guest Services Liaisons who visit patients, Guest Services offers the following services: fax machine, computer access, copier, hotel information and interpreter services available to all non-English speaking patients. The Guest Services Liaisons are also available to all patients and their family for any concerns. For more information, contact Guest Services at 504-503-4837.

HealthFinder provides free referrals and makes appointments for patients who call (504) 456-5000, a number that is well-known throughout the community. Representatives match patients to appropriate physicians based on healthcare needs, availability, location and the patient’s insurance plan. To enroll, physicians must provide contact information and a list of insurance plans accepted by the practice. This service is provided at no charge to medical staff physicians.

The Wellness Center is a state-of-the-art fitness facility featuring cardiovascular and strength training, an aquatic area with two pools, an indoor walking/running track, and a variety of exercise and fitness classes. Call the Wellness Center at 504-503-6868 to arrange a tour of the facility or for more information on membership.