WCHC recognized as top 100 critical access hospital

WASHINGTON — Washington County Hospital and Clinics (WCHC) was named one of the top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the nation this week by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

Todd Patterson, the CEO of WCHC, said he was proud of the organization's achievement.

"I am proud to be a part of the WCHC organization with a medical and clinical staff, support staff, and board of trustees that are committed to providing the very best quality care and experience to every patient,“ he said. ”Our result as a Top 100 hospital emphasizes our commitment to providing more in quality, safety, compassion, and accountability to our patients."

WCHC is one of approximately 1,366 critical access hospitals nationwide, according to a news release from the hospital. The designation from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is given to medical institutions with emergency rooms at least 35 miles from the next nearest hospital and a total of less than 25 beds, alongside other criteria.

The facilities represent an essential source of medical care for rural communities that would otherwise be isolated by distance and travel times.

According to WCHC’s news release, the recognition from The Chartis Center for Rural Health is based on the results of that group’s Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, an annual assessment program evaluating hospitals based on their quality care, market share, patient perspective, costs and charges.

WCHC said the 14-year-old model was widely regarded as the industry's “most comprehensive and objective measure of rural hospital performance.”

Other recipients of the top 100 recognition in Iowa were Cass Health (Atlantic,) Floyd Valley Healthcare (Le Mars,) Greater Regional Medical Center (Creston,) Grundy County Memorial Hospital (Grundy Center,) Hansen Family Hospital (Iowa Falls,) Loring Hospital (Sac City,) Mitchell County Regional Health Center (Osage,) Myrtue Medical Center (Harlan,) Orange City Area Health System (Orange City,) UnityPoint Health Jones Regional Medical Center (Anamosa,) and Van Diest Medical Center (Webster City.)