The distinguished facilities include Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center in Meyersdale, Conemaugh Miners Medical Center in Hastings and most recently Conemaugh Nason Medical Center in Roaring Spring.

“Reaching the Gold Tier status is a testament to our ongoing efforts to make communities healthier,” said Mr. Cliff Dull, System Director of Medical Imaging. “Our goal is to ensure patients get the proper screenings and treatment to avoid future illnesses.”

Incidental Pulmonary Nodules, also known as lung nodules, are small singular masses found in the lungs that are often found incidentally in scans performed for unrelated reasons. Typically formed from a previous infection, these nodules can lead to serious illnesses including cancer.

“Jennifer Bailey, RN, our lung health nurse navigator, follows up with patients regularly to ensure they do not fall through the cracks,” said Dull. “This positive patient outcome would not be possible without her and our dedicated CT Technologists.”

With a commitment to helping facilities improve the early capture and longitudinal care of incidentally identified pulmonary nodules, the ECOE partners with healthcare facilities and professionals to improve patient outcomes and ensure all patients receive the appropriate care and follow-up treatment.

The ECOE is a revered authority in evaluating and accrediting medical institutions that demonstrate a firm commitment to the highest standards of patient care, clinical expertise, and innovative practices. Among its various levels of recognition, the Gold Tier Accreditation for Incidental Pulmonary Nodules stands as a testament to Conemaugh Health System's dedication to providing exceptional healthcare services to their respective communities.

The Gold Tier Accreditation is a distinction reserved for a select few programs that have consistently gone above and beyond to ensure the well-being of their patients. This achievement means demonstrating exceptional patient return rates and adherence to the Fleischner Society guidelines. This was accomplished by ensuring patients return for evidence-based follow-up surveillance, performed within the appropriate time frame, given the risk of a potential lung cancer. This accolade, the highest bestowed by the ECOE, reaffirms Conemaugh's commitment to providing the highest quality care and demonstrates the exceptional standard to which their healthcare providers adhere.

The path to achieving this esteemed accreditation encompassed rigorous evaluation, strategic process improvement initiatives, and an unrelenting commitment to patient-centered care. “The Conemaugh Health System facilities prioritize clinical excellence, continuous learning, and patient safety, thereby exceeding the rigorous standards set forth by the ECOE,” said Dull.