|
Saint Barnabas Medical Center Joins National Network of Children's Hospitals Livingston, NJ -- The National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions has accepted Saint Barnabas Medical Center for associate membership. Saint Barnabas Medical Center becomes one of 217 members and supporters of the nonprofit association, a collective voice for health systems devoted to the well-being of America's 70 million children and their families, no matter how sick or how poor. "Participation in NACHRI offers us a vast communications network with people who understand children: their needs, their treatment, and the financing of their care," said John F. Bonamo, M.D., M.S. "We look forward to bringing our leadership and special insights to the association and joining in the imperative for stronger advocacy on behalf of all children." With 250 pediatricians and pediatric sub-specialists on staff, the Department of Pediatrics at Saint Barnabas Medical Center is one of the largest programs in the state, surpassing the majority of children’s hospitals. In 2008, there were approximately 8,000 inpatients and over 25,000 pediatric emergency department visits. Saint Barnabas Medical Center was admitted to NACHRI as an associate member whose aims and activities fulfill a commitment to the advocacy of children and children's health. NACHRI is a not-for-profit membership association of children's hospitals, large pediatric units of medical centers, and related organizations, including those that specialize in rehabilitative and long-term care of children with serious chronic or congenital illnesses. "We welcome Saint Barnabas Medical Center to the family of care givers devoted to improving the health of children, and we look forward to its active involvement," said NACHRI President and CEO Lawrence A. McAndrews. "Because of their focus on children, institutions like Saint Barnabas Medical Center are able to identify emerging trends and problems associated with the health of children." While children’s hospitals represent less than 5 percent of all hospitals, they account for more than 40 percent of inpatient days and 50 percent of costs for all children hospitalized in the United States -- $10 billion worth of care every year. Across the nation, children’s hospitals handle approximately 2.3 million emergency department visits and 13 million outpatient visits every year. Date: March 2, 2009 Saint Barnabas Contact: Sally Malech, 973-322-5441 [ top ] [ back to news index ] |
|
||||||||
