Background

South Jersey Healthcare – Changing Medicine, Changing Lives.

South Jersey Healthcare (SJH) is dedicated to providing our region with the highest quality health care delivered by a caring staff in a friendly environment. Our hospitals and doctors work together to provide quality hospital services, community health clinics, home health services, and specialty services that meet the health care needs of our community.

SJH has been awarded Magnet recognition for nursing excellence, one of the highest levels of recognition a hospital or medical center can achieve. Receiving Magnet designation from the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) places South Jersey Healthcare among an elite group of hospitals across the country (less than five percent can claim the distinction and only 22 hospitals in New Jersey currently have Magnet status). We are the only health system in the state to have three facilities appraised by the ANCC during a single visit and receive Magnet recognition for all three sites. The achievement demonstrates South Jersey Healthcare’s commitment to quality, best practices, evidence-based care, patient safety and service excellence.

SJH hospitals and related outpatient services have also earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ by demonstrating compliance with national standards for health care quality and safety.

Both SJH Elmer Hospital and SJH Regional Medical Center (RMC) were recognized with the 2007 VHA Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence in the treatment of heart attack patients and the implementation of rapid response teams. Elmer Hospital also received the award for the treatment of congestive heart failure and pneumonia. In the last three years, SJH’s hospitals have received 11 VHA Leadership Awards for Clinical Excellence, which are based on the latest set of measures that have been nationally accepted as indicators of quality. SJH was one of only two health systems in New Jersey to receive the award for multiple hospitals.

Hospitals

SJH Elmer Hospital, 501 W. Front Street, Elmer, (856) 363-1000

SJH Regional Medical Center, 1505 W. Sherman Avenue, Vineland, (856) 641-8000

Health Centers

SJH Bridgeton Health Center, 333 Irving Avenue, Bridgeton, (856) 575-4500. Services include a satellite emergency department serving patients 24 hours a day and seven days a week, as well as dialysis, mental health, radiology, laboratory, occupational health, rehabilitation and wellness services.

SJH Vineland Health Center, 1038 E. Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, (856) 507-8500. Services include occupational health, rehabilitation, and prenatal services.

Physician Referral Services

Need a doctor? Call the free SJH Physician Referral Service at (800) 770-7547.

SJH Health Services include:

Balance Centers, Bariatric Care, Cancer Care, Cardiac Care, Cardiac Catheterization, Cosmetic Surgery, Dialysis, Education Programs, Emergency Services, Home Care, Hospice Care, Joint Care, Laboratory Services, Maternity Care, Mental Health, Neuro Sciences, Occupational Medicine, Primary Care Physicians, Radiation and Medical Oncology, Radiology and Medical Imaging, Rehab Services, Sleep Care, Surgical Services, Women’s and Children’s Services, Wellness and Fitness Services.

Cancer Services

The SJH Cancer Services team of board-certified physicians, registered radiation therapists and nationally certified oncology nurses has provided state-of-the-art radiation therapy, medical oncology and cancer support services to thousands of patients in the region for more than 25 years. The new SJH Frank and Edith Scarpa Regional Cancer Pavilion at the SJH Regional Medical Center brings the most advanced cancer treatment found in big city centers to our region.

As a Fox Chase Cancer Center partner, SJH also provides leading-edge cancer care through national clinical trials, which study new cancer treatment, diagnostic and prevention methods. SJH’s fully accredited cancer program blends technology, convenience and compassionate care to provide peace of mind through the cancer journey.

In 2007, SJH Cancer Services received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer. The award recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in quality care to cancer patients. Just six percent of hospitals the ACoS surveyed last year earned an Outstanding Achievement Award. SJH was one of only two cancer programs in New Jersey and one of only 31 in the United States to receive the award in 2007. For more information, call (856) 575-4430.

Cardiac Care

With national awards for the clinical excellence of our cardiac care and the latest cardiac catheterization technology available, SJH’s comprehensive cardiology program contributes to the heart health of all we serve. The SJH Regional Medical Center is home to the first cardiac catheterization lab in Cumberland County, providing local access to the latest technology. Last year, the catheterization lab successfully achieved or surpassed all the necessary criteria to be designated by the state as a full-service diagnostic facility, allowing SJH to offer catheterization services to cardiac patients regardless of the severity of their illness.The hospitals’ Cardiac Intensive Care Unit was presented also presented with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ Beacon Award which recognizes nursing excellence in the nation’s top hospital critical care units.

SJH Elmer Hospital and the SJH Regional Medical Center also help thousands of patients through Cardiac Rehabilitation Services. Our highly-skilled, multidisciplinary teams use state-of-the art equipment and techniques to develop customized rehabilitation plans that help cardiac patients obtain their optimal levels of wellness.

Surgical Services

At SJH, you can expect the highest quality of surgery services available. Our Same Day Surgery Department provides convenient services in nearly a dozen specialties and sub-specialties including orthopedics, ophthalmology and gastroenterology. SJH also provides the latest technologies for inpatient procedures, including neurosurgery, joint replacement and bariatric surgery. The SJH Regional Medical Center is nationally recognized as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery for exceeding standards for quality, safety and outcomes.

Women’s and Children’s Health Services

Hospital-based maternity services are offered at both SJH Elmer Hospital and the SJH Regional Medical Center. SJH provides maternal/newborn care committed to clinical excellence, family involvement, and the safety and comfort of mothers and babies. Both facilities provide first-class care in a comfortable setting.

Outpatient Services

Outpatient services are available at SJH Elmer Hospital, the SJH Regional Medical Center, SJH Bridgeton Health Center, SJH Vineland Health Center and the SJH Millville Imaging Center.

Outpatient services include: Dialysis; Laboratory Services; Occupational Health Services including injury and illness management, physical exams, DOT and OSHA programs, drug screening and travel medicine and vaccinations; Radiology Services including general radiology, bone densitometry, CT scan, Dexascan, mammography, digital mammography, MRI, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound; RehabCare, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiology services and kids rehab care. For information or to find the appropriate location for the services you require, call our toll-free pre-registration appointment line at (866) 754-2778.

Wound Care

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic wounds caused by diabetes, vascular disease, infection and a variety of other conditions. The SJH Wound Care Center provides expert wound care right here in our region with a staff of wound-certified physicians and a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals with years of experience in treating chronic wounds. Located next to SJH Elmer Hospital, the SJH Wound Care Center offers comprehensive wound care close to home. For more information call (856) 363-1575.

Mental Health Services

SJH provides comprehensive inpatient care, partial care (intensive outpatient therapy and treatment) and outpatient counseling for adults, adolescents and children at the SJH Bridgeton Health Center, at 333 Irving Avenue and at SJH Elmer Hospital.

Community Services

SJH Community Services, a service of South Jersey Healthcare, offers assistance when you or your loved ones need it most. The doctors, nurses, and other caring attendants in our programs are trained to provide the help and care you need. Services include:

SJH HomeCare provides a full range of health care and supportive services in the home. Call (856) 878-6000.

SJH HospiceCare provides comprehensive care for patients and their families during the final states of any disease in the home and in our new Hospice Inpatient Center located at the SJH Bridgeton Health Center. Call (856) 794-1515.

SJH Adult Day Programs provide a safe, supervised and caring environment for disabled and elderly adults who might otherwise be homebound at two locations, 223 Broadway in Salem, at (856) 878-6035 and 23 North England Cross Road in Fairton, at (856) 451-7227.

SJH Help Services assist area residents with home and personal chores. Call (856) 878-6000.

Wellness and Fitness Services

The SJH Fitness Connection offers state-of-the-art equipment and professional staff at two locations: 1430 W. Sherman Avenue in Vineland and at the Bridgeton Health Center, 333 Irving Avenue in Bridgeton. For membership information, call (856) 696-3924.

IMPACT

IMPACT was developed through collaboration between SJH and the Vineland Board of Education and provides health and social services, childcare for infants and toddlers, preschool programs and literacy programs. For information about IMPACT programs, call (856) 691-5362.

How Does SJH Impact Southern New Jersey?
We are mission-driven. SJH has always been an organization motivated by its mission. This mission, in general terms, has always been to provide the people in the communities served by SJH with the highest quality health care. An important component of the mission has also been to provide all people with access to health services, regardless of ability to pay.

Our mission dictates our strategy. Every strategic decision made by SJH has been evaluated in light of this mission. SJH has modified specific elements of its strategy several times in its history to continue to fulfill its mission as the healthcare environment changes. Decisions to grow, diversify, provide a continuum of care for patients, focus regionally and integrate more closely as a system—all were made to keep faith with our mission of excellent public service.

Here are some important facts about SJH, and its impact on Southern New Jersey communities:

• SJH is the only nonprofit health system in the tri-county area, serving a population of 470,000 residents throughout Cumberland, Salem, and Gloucester counties.

• SJH’s Emergency Departments are the busiest in the area, handling more than 88,000 visits in 2007. Each Emergency Department is staffed 24 hours a day by board-certified emergency medicine physicians and highly skilled nurses, and is equipped for virtually any medical crisis.

• SJH admitted18,000 inpatients last year and servedmore than 200,000 outpatients.

• In the past year 2,260 babieswere born at the SJH Regional Medical Center and 362 were born at SJH-Elmer. Both hospitals specialize in newborn and neonatal intensive care.

• SJH’s Newborn Intermediate Care Unit (NICU) at the Regional Medical Center provides 24-hour in-house physician coverage. A NICU provides personal, skilled care for infants who require more specialized nursery care.

• The SJH Foundation contributed approximately $550,000 in funds last year to purchase critically needed equipment and to enhance facilities and services.

• SJH Rehabilitation Department provides the most comprehensive rehabilitation services in Southern New Jersey, with a complete range of inpatient and outpatient services, including physical therapy, aquatic therapy, occupational therapy, hand therapy, functional capacity evaluations, speech/language pathology and audiology services.

• SJH Community Services is one of the largest rural networks of home health agencies in the region. Our home health and hospice programs provide approximately 5,800 visits monthly, offering a wide range of treatments and specialties.

• Last year, SJH provided nearly $10 million in charity care to individuals and families without health insurance. In addition, SJH provided more than $44 million in uncompensated care.

• SJH’s 300-member Volunteer Department contributes 63,000 hours of volunteer assistance per year to patients, staff and visitors.

• SJH is a significant economic force in the community. The system employs 2,900 people, making it one of the largest employers in Cumberland County. The system's $100 million payroll pumps millions through the area's economy each year.