John Randolph Medical Center Earns Quality Respiratory Care Award

(HOPEWELL, VA) May 12, 2008 – John Randolph Medical Center has earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) under a national program aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of respiratory care services available in hospitals.

About 700 hospitals or approximately 15% of hospitals in the United States have applied for and received this award.

The QRCR program was started by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) in 2003 to help consumers identify those facilities using qualified respiratory therapists to provide respiratory care. Hospitals earning the QRCR designation ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services.

David Seaborn, Director of Respiratory Services at John Randolph Medical Center, said the award reflects the respiratory staff’s dedication to providing quality, compassionate care to patients.

“We are proud to be nationally recognized for delivering exceptional respiratory care,” Seaborn said. 
 
Hospitals that meet the QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines and should be commended for their commitment to quality care. A list of QRCR hospitals is maintained at the association’s web site for consumers, YourLungHealth.org.

Respiratory therapists are specially trained health care professionals who work under physician’s orders to provide a wide range of breathing treatments and other services to people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, AIDS and other lung or lung-related conditions. They also care for premature infants and are key members of lifesaving response teams charged with handling medical emergencies.

About John Randolph Medical Center
John Randolph Medical Center, a 147-bed facility located at 411 West Randolph Road in Hopewell, has served the Tri-Cities for over 90 years, providing high quality healthcare services, from oncology and cardiac care to behavioral health and emergency medicine. The facility combines a small-town atmosphere with sophisticated technology commonly found in large urban hospitals.  John Randolph is part of the HCA Richmond Health System, the largest healthcare provider and largest private employer in the Richmond metropolitan area. The Cardiac Care services include noninvasive and minimally invasive diagnostics, cardiac catheterization, stress tests and a cardiac rehab program certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.  Oncology Services offers individualized treatment protocols accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, outpatient infusion, chemotherapy, as well as inpatient and surgical services.  The ICU/CCU offers eICU WATCH for critical patients, a patient-monitoring system also available at HCA hospitals throughout the Richmond region. The 24-hour Emergency Room offers two distinct treatment areas – a Fast Track designed for non-emergent concerns and an acute section for more serious injury and illness.