Feb. 27, 2008

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St. Cloud Hospital joins national network of children’s hospitals

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud Hospital now is part of an elite association devoted to ensuring the well-being of America’s 70 million children and their families – no matter how sick or how poor.
The nonprofit National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) has accepted St. Cloud Hospital’s Women and Children’s Center as one of its 218 members.
“Children are not mini-adults. Participation in NACHRI offers us a network of people who understand children: their needs, their treatment, and the financing of their care,” said Diane Pelant, Department Director Children’s Center. “We look forward to bringing our leadership and special insights to the association and joining with the best of the best in offering high-quality, evidenced-based care that is child-focused.”

St. Cloud Hospital’s Women and Children’s Center was admitted to NACHRI because it is committed to advocacy for children and children’s health. As part of NACHRI, St. Cloud Hospital will participate in national programs to increase public awareness of children’s health requirements, to collect and disseminate information useful to fellow members, and to enhance cost-efficiency and quality.

NACHRI is made up 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.

As a member of NACHRI, St. Cloud Hospital will have access to services in a variety of program areas including:

• Public policy
• Quality improvement
• Education and networking opportunities
• Comparative benchmarking services
• Media relations and public relations
• Child advocacy and grassroots advocacy
  

“We welcome St. Cloud Hospital’s Women and Children’s 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 St. Cloud Hospital 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.

Founded in 1968, NACHRI addresses issues such as uninsured children, children dependent on Medicaid, injury prevention, child abuse and neglect, quality of care and safety.

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