Virginia Hospital Week highlights ways hospitals show ‘Patients Come First’

Across the nation and in the Commonwealth, May 8-14, 2016 is Hospital Week. This week is an opportunity to celebrate the great work done by Virginia’s local hospitals and health systems each day.

Virginia hospitals are vitally important providers for health care access and public well-being, the places that are always open to care for those in medical need no matter the day, time, or circumstance. In addition to substantial public health contributions, Virginia hospitals are also major economic contributors supporting tens of thousands of jobs, generating billions in positive economic contributions for the state, and providing billions in support for their communities.

“Patients Come First” is the theme of this year’s Hospital Week; it is a reminder that patient-centric care is a guiding principle of Virginia’s local hospitals and health systems.

“The dedicated clinicians, administrators, support staff, and volunteers at Virginia’s local hospitals and health systems deliver compassionate care to patients each day,” said Mary N. Mannix, President and CEO of Augusta Health in Fishersville and Chair of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) Board of Directors. “During Hospital Week, VHHA is sharing a few of the countless stories of hospitals going above and beyond to treat patients. These acts of care are routine for hospitals even though they aren’t always widely publicized. Virginia hospitals support a wide array of community programs, including health screenings, immunizations, health fairs, and educational programs, among other activities. Virginia hospitals employ 115,000 people, generate $36 billion in positive economic activity for the state, spend $17 billion on goods and services with local businesses, and provide nearly $2.85 billion annually in community support.”*

VHHA is celebrating Hospital Week by promoting hospital and health system good news stories through its Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages. Through these channels, VHHA is spotlighting videos highlighting patient testimonials, the compassionate work of hospitals and clinicians, and the great lengths hospitals go to on behalf of patients; an interactive online quiz; and sharing new content at ISupportVirginiaHospitals.com.

“Virginia is home to a network of world class hospitals throughout the Commonwealth,” said Sean T. Connaughton, President and CEO of VHHA. “Nearly every Virginian lives within 20 miles of a hospital that is always open, no matter the day or time, to take care of people in need of medical attention. In 2014, Virginia hospitals handled 3.6 million emergency department visits, performed more than 230,000 surgeries, and delivered nearly 62,000 babies. Economically, hospitals generate billions in positive activity for the state, and Virginia’s hospitals rank among the top five employers in 44 percent of Virginia’s counties and cities.”

Virginia Hospital Week was formally recognized in 2015 when then-state Senator John Watkins (R-Powhatan County) sponsored a resolution designating the second week of May that year and each subsequent year as “Virginia Hospital Week.”

This year’s Hospital Week is being celebrated in many ways, including through the recognition of a gubernatorial proclamation from Governor Terry McAuliffe. For more information about Virginia Hospital Week,watch the latest episode of “This Week in Richmond” featuring appearances by Mannix and Connaughton, and read the latest monthly edition of the FOCUS publication.