The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) program in Nebraska was recently recognized for outstanding quality performance.
Ten states, including Nebraska, were identified as ‘top-performing’ states; others included Wisconsin, Maine, Utah, Minnesota, Illinois and Pennsylvania (tied), Michigan, Indiana and Massachusetts. These CAH programs were recognized for achieving the highest reporting rates and levels of improvement over the past year.
“As demonstrated by this recognition, we acknowledge the commitment and efforts of the leadership and staff of Nebraska’s Critical Access Hospitals to providing the highest levels of quality of care. CAHs play a vital role in our state, and through collaborative efforts, we continue to strive to make healthcare in Nebraska among the nation’s best,” stated Ted Fraser, Vice President for CIMRO of Nebraska, a member of the Great Plains Quality Innovation Network.
Each CAH program has built on their previous successes by investing Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) funds into quality improvement projects and developing technical assistance resources that improve high-quality care in their communities. States also work collaboratively with every CAH and their respective partners to share best practices and utilize data to drive quality improvement in their hospitals.
“Rural hospitals are key safety-net providers in their communities and it is important that we make every effort to provide the highest quality of care to individuals living in rural communities,” said Dr. George Sigounas, HRSA Administrator. “Critical Access Hospitals may be limited in resources, but they have strong connections to their community and a commitment to quality care for every patient that is reflected in their effort to meet higher standards.”
The award was given by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). In 2011, FORHP, located within HRSA, created a program to promote high quality of care at rural hospitals with 25 beds or fewer. Low-volume hospitals participating in the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) voluntarily report on a set of quality measures relevant to the care they provide, share data and take on quality improvement initiatives. Currently, 96 percent of the 1,340 CAHs in the United States are reporting rural-relevant quality measures.
Nebraska has 64 Critical Access Hospitals, which serve the most rural communities in the state. The federal initiative is administered in the state by the Nebraska Office of Rural Health.