A visit to the emergency room or a hospital stay can often bring with it increased anxiety from a patient wondering how qualified that hospital is to deliver the proper level of care, especially in an emergency.

Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon, part of Jefferson Health, recently achieved two special distinctions: accreditation by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center and Joint Commission certification as a Primary Stroke Center.

“We are committed to giving every patient the best possible chance at recovery,” said Terry Purcell, regional chief operating officer, Jefferson Health–Lehigh Valley Region. “Our mission is: ‘We Improve Lives,’ something we pledge every day. These achievements reflect the hard work of our entire team. It also helps reassure that Jefferson Health is well prepared to provide the highest level of care to our Carbon County patients.”

What is an accredited Chest Pain Center?

An accredited chest pain center must meet or exceed ACC guidelines and participate in a comprehensive on-site evaluation that determines a hospital’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and determine the best treatment for patients experiencing chest pain, the most common symptom of heart attacks.

Accredited hospitals also have a dedicated team of clinicians working to improve patient education and outcomes.

What is a Primary Stroke Center?

Primary Stroke Center certification recognizes hospitals that meet standards to support better outcomes for stroke care. The Joint Commission’s certification program is developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

It requires hospitals to meet rigorous standards and report performance on key stroke core measures.

“In an emergency, every moment matters, and our colleagues have demonstrated their expertise. Collaboration saves lives when every second counts,” said Bob Begliomini, PharmD, president, Jefferson Health–Lehigh Valley Region. “I am incredibly proud of each colleague who works at LVH–Carbon, because this designation is a direct result of their commitment to exceptional, lifesaving care.”

Vizient Award for Quality

In addition to the recent specialty clinical designations, LVH–Carbon is nationally recognized by Vizient for providing safe, high-quality care. Vizient Inc., the nation’s largest provider-driven health care performance improvement company

LVH–Carbon ranks among the top performers in the nation in Vizient’s 2025 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Ranking. Hospitals that earn this recognition meet Vizient’s strict standards for excellent care, which is based on the organization’s Quality and Accountability Study.

“This achievement was earned through hard work, compassion and expertise, and I could not be prouder of all we have achieved,” Purcell said.

The Vizient rankings measure six areas: safety, mortality, effectiveness, efficiency, patient centeredness and variation in care.

LVH–Carbon began operations in June 2022 as a 20-bed general acute care hospital with a 17-bed emergency room and two operating suites, and almost immediately began an expansion program that added four additional medical-surgical beds and a seven-bed intensive care unit.

Health Center at Carbon is attached to the hospital and offers primary and specialty care. Jefferson Health recently opened the region’s first JeffExpress urgent care facility.

Learn more by visiting LVHN.org/Carbon.