WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital is proud to announce that its Nursing Care Facility (NCF) has been awarded the prestigious Platinum level of the MEDALS Program designation by the West Virginia Department of Health (DH). The MEDALS (Medical Excellence for the Development of Antimicrobial Stewardship) initiative, launched in 2024 by the DH’s Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services, recognizes the ongoing efforts of nursing homes across the state to promote responsible antibiotic use and improve infection prevention practices.
The MEDALS Program evaluates facilities on their commitment to establishing robust antimicrobial stewardship programs, aimed at improving the use of antibiotics and preventing infections. Facilities are assessed across multiple levels of achievement, with the Platinum designation being the highest honor, signifying outstanding efforts in infection control and antibiotic stewardship.
“The care of our community and residents is of the utmost importance,” Nia Leichliter, BSN, RN, Nurse Manager of NCF said. “Antibiotic stewardship is one of the many ways we strive for excellence. This stewardship is of utmost importance, as the use of antibiotics only where necessary, and at the correct dose, combats antibiotic resistance. We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition, and we thank our dedicated team, including all staff, providers, pharmacists and infection control specialists, for their commitment to excellence.”
Leichliter also expressed special gratitude to Sam Wilfong, BSN, RN, NCF’s charge nurse, whose dedication and hard work played a key role in the facility’s successful certification. “Achieving the highest tier of care is our number one goal, and we couldn’t do it without the incredible team we have here,” said Leichliter.
The MEDALS Program underscores the critical role that antibiotic stewardship plays in the overall quality of healthcare, particularly in long-term care settings, where the risk of infection can be higher. By recognizing facilities like NCF, the program encourages the continuous improvement of strategies designed to protect patients from unnecessary antibiotic use and the risks associated with it, such as antibiotic resistance.
“We view our residents as family,” Skip Gjolberg, president & CEO of WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital said. “Anything we can do to keep our residents safe and healthy is a win for everyone and the staff in NCF does a phenomenal job.”
WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s NCF continues to demonstrate its leadership in healthcare, focusing on quality care and patient safety. The Platinum designation is a testament to their commitment to providing residents with the highest standards of care while fostering an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
