15865, Sykesville, Pennsylvania Overall Health Score Hospital Score

The Hospital Score for the Overall Health Score in 15865, Sykesville, Pennsylvania is 60 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

## Overall Health Score: Hospitals Near ZIP Code 15865

The residents of St. Marys, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area (ZIP code 15865) have access to a surprisingly robust healthcare landscape, despite their relatively rural location. This review assesses the overall health score of the hospitals serving this region, considering factors like quality of care, accessibility, specialized services, and patient experience. We'll delve into the specifics, examining flagship hospitals, their CMS star ratings, ER wait times, specialized centers, and telehealth capabilities to provide a comprehensive picture.

**The Core Players: Penn Highlands Elk and UPMC Kane**

The two primary hospitals serving the 15865 area are Penn Highlands Elk (formerly Elk Regional Health Center) in St. Marys and UPMC Kane in Kane, Pennsylvania. These institutions serve as the cornerstones of local healthcare, providing a range of services from emergency care to specialized treatments.

**Penn Highlands Elk: A Community Focus**

Penn Highlands Elk is a critical access hospital, a designation that recognizes its importance in providing essential healthcare services to a rural community. While it doesn’t have a CMS star rating assigned directly, due to its critical access status, it's important to understand how the hospital is performing. The hospital provides a wide range of services, including a 24-hour emergency department, surgical services, and a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program.

Emergency Department wait times at Penn Highlands Elk are generally considered to be moderate, with average wait times often fluctuating depending on the time of day and the volume of patients. The hospital strives to maintain efficient throughput, but like all emergency departments, wait times can vary.

Penn Highlands Elk has made significant strides in telehealth, offering remote consultations and monitoring for patients. This is particularly crucial in a rural setting where access to specialists can be challenging. Telehealth services extend to various specialties, including cardiology, behavioral health, and chronic disease management. The hospital has expanded its telehealth capabilities in recent years, allowing patients to connect with specialists remotely, reducing the need for lengthy travel.

**UPMC Kane: A Broader Network**

UPMC Kane, located in Kane, offers a different perspective on healthcare. As part of the larger UPMC system, it benefits from the resources and expertise of a major healthcare network. UPMC Kane also operates as a critical access hospital.

UPMC Kane provides a full spectrum of care, including a 24-hour emergency department, surgical services, and specialized programs. The hospital is committed to providing a high level of patient care and offers a wide range of services, including inpatient and outpatient care.

Emergency department wait times at UPMC Kane are generally comparable to those at Penn Highlands Elk, varying depending on patient volume. The hospital has invested in strategies to streamline patient flow, including triage protocols and efficient diagnostic processes.

UPMC Kane has also embraced telehealth, offering virtual consultations and remote monitoring services. The hospital leverages the UPMC system's extensive telehealth infrastructure to connect patients with specialists across a wide range of medical disciplines. This includes access to specialists in areas such as cardiology, neurology, and oncology.

**Beyond the Core: Specialized Services and Outpatient Care**

Beyond the primary hospitals, residents of the 15865 area have access to a network of outpatient clinics and specialized services. These facilities provide a range of care, from primary care to specialized treatments.

**Specialty Centers:**

Both Penn Highlands Elk and UPMC Kane offer specialized services. Penn Highlands Elk features a dedicated cardiac rehabilitation program, as well as surgical services and a range of diagnostic capabilities. UPMC Kane offers specialized programs in areas such as wound care and physical therapy.

**Outpatient Clinics:**

The area is served by a number of outpatient clinics. These clinics provide primary care, specialist consultations, and diagnostic services. They play a vital role in providing accessible healthcare to the community.

**Telehealth: Bridging the Distance**

Telehealth has become an increasingly important component of healthcare delivery in rural areas. Both Penn Highlands Elk and UPMC Kane have invested in telehealth infrastructure, allowing patients to connect with specialists remotely.

**Telehealth Stats:**

While specific, publicly available telehealth utilization statistics for these hospitals are limited, it's clear that both institutions have expanded their telehealth offerings in recent years. This includes virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and access to specialists across a range of medical disciplines. Telehealth has proven to be particularly beneficial for patients in rural areas, reducing the need for travel and improving access to care.

**Patient Experience: A Crucial Factor**

Patient experience is a critical indicator of healthcare quality. Both Penn Highlands Elk and UPMC Kane are committed to providing a positive patient experience.

**Patient Satisfaction Surveys:**

Both hospitals participate in patient satisfaction surveys, which provide valuable feedback on the quality of care and the patient experience. These surveys assess various aspects of care, including communication with healthcare providers, the cleanliness of the facilities, and the overall satisfaction with the care received.

**Community Engagement:**

Both hospitals actively engage with the community, participating in health fairs, offering educational programs, and supporting local initiatives. This demonstrates their commitment to the health and well-being of the community.

**Overall Health Score: A Balanced Assessment**

Evaluating the overall health score for hospitals near ZIP code 15865 requires a balanced assessment of various factors.

**Strengths:**

* **Accessibility:** Residents have access to two primary hospitals, both of which provide 24-hour emergency care.
* **Specialized Services:** Both hospitals offer specialized programs, including cardiac rehabilitation and surgical services.
* **Telehealth:** Both hospitals have invested in telehealth infrastructure, improving access to specialists and reducing the need for travel.
* **Community Focus:** Both hospitals are deeply rooted in the community and committed to providing high-quality care.

**Areas for Improvement:**

* **CMS Star Ratings:** Neither hospital has a CMS star rating due to their critical access status, making it difficult to compare them directly to larger hospitals.
* **ER Wait Times:** While wait times are generally moderate, efforts to further streamline patient flow could improve the patient experience.
* **Specialty Availability:** While both hospitals offer specialty services, access to certain specialists may require travel to larger medical centers.

**Conclusion:**

The hospitals serving the 15865 area provide a valuable healthcare resource for the community. Penn Highlands Elk and UPMC Kane offer a range of services, including 24-hour emergency care, surgical services, and specialized programs. Both hospitals have embraced telehealth, improving access to specialists and reducing the need for travel. While there are areas for improvement, the overall health score for the region is positive, reflecting the commitment of the hospitals to providing quality care to the community. Residents of the 15865 area can be confident in the healthcare services available to them.