MedWest Health System are inplementing the DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses. The award, presented in collaboration with The American Organization of Nurse Executives is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the extraordinary efforts nurses put forth daily in caring for their patients.

A total of 12 awards will be presented to nurses at MedWest hospitals – Harris, Haywood, and Swain – and outpatient facilities. All MedWest nurses are eligible for nomination, which will be accepted beginning April 1. The presentation of the first three awards will take place during National Nurses Week on May 6.

No public health threat has been identified as state environmental health officials monitor low levels of radiation found in North Carolina, believed to be linked to the March 11 Japanese nuclear incident.

The Radiation Protection Section in the N.C. Division of Environmental Health has been notified of increased, albeit low, levels of the radioisotopes by both Duke Energy and Progress Energy. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Dee Freeman emphasized that there is no danger to public health or safety.

Angel Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in computed tomography (CT) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). CT scanning — sometimes called CAT scanning — is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and tailor treatments for various medical conditions.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

Western Carolina University’s Counseling and Psychological Services was recently awarded accreditation by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS).

As part of a nearly two-year accreditation process, WCU compiled detailed information and hosted a site visit to demonstrate compliance with criteria for accreditation set by the University and College Counseling Services Board of Accreditation.