Independence Health System’s Westmoreland Hospital Recognized for Excellence in Patient Safety

GREENSBURG, Pa., Oct. 9, 2025 – The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) announced that Independence Health System’s Westmoreland Hospital has been recognized through its 2025 Excellence in Patient Safety Recognition program. The honor is awarded top-performing hospitals across Pennsylvania that have demonstrated exceptionally low rates of health care-associated infections.  

Westmoreland Hospital is one of only 22 hospitals across Pennsylvania to receive recognition, underscoring its commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care and maintaining the highest standards in patient safety.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition for our commitment to patient safety,” said Brian Fritz, president of Westmoreland, Latrobe and Frick hospitals. “It reflects the dedication of the providers and staff, who work tirelessly to deliver expert, high-quality care to our patients, their families and our community.”

President and CEO Ken DeFurio added, “The recognition is a meaningful affirmation of the culture of safety and excellence that defines Independence Health System. Across all of our hospitals, we take great pride in the dedication and professionalism of our teams, whose work continues to elevate the standard of care each and every day.”

HAP is recognizing 22 hospitals this year based on their performance during 2024. HAP identifies top-performing hospitals using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network. To be recognized, hospitals must perform better than the mean standardized infection ratio in three key measures: central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections.

“Hospitals’ top priority is ensuring high-quality, safe care for their communities,” HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings said. “HAP proudly recognizes the Pennsylvania hospital teams that went above and beyond to demonstrate their commitment to continuous quality and safety improvement and achieved exceptional results.”

Independence Health System provides accessible, high-quality, and comprehensive health care services to residents throughout Westmoreland, Butler, Clarion, and neighboring counties. The system’s tertiary programs are consistently ranked among the nation’s best for cardiac care and surgery. These achievements have earned recognition from leading organizations including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, the American College of Radiology, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Surgeons, The Joint Commission, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, and the National Association for Business Resources for leadership in workplace wellness.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health