Southwest Health System has been recognized for improving patient care and chronic disease management by the Colorado Rural Health Center’s iCare Program.
The Primary Care and the Mancos Valley Clinic teams received the Above and Beyond award for improving patient outcomes.
Two categories of care saw improvement – indicators for blood-sugar levels for diabetes management, and high blood pressure.
In the past two years, Primary Care showed a 12.2% improvement in AIC levels, attributed to consistent monitoring. The Mancos Valley Clinic improved management of high blood pressure by 21% with monitoring and medication regulation.
SHS also reported an average readmission rate at 2.67% over the past two years. The admission rate is the percentage of patients who return to the hospital within seven days of discharge.
“This is another example of just how far this organization has come and demonstrates our continued focus on quality,” said CEO Tony Sudduth.
SHS’ Patient Family Advisory Council, developed in 2017, plays a significant role in quality improvement initiatives and patient satisfaction programs, hospital officials said.
Colorado Rural Health Center started iCare in 2010 in response to the national scrutiny on care transitions and avoidable hospital readmissions. Since then, more than 50 critical access hospitals and rural clinics in Colorado have improved quality and patient safety by focusing on improving communication in transitions of care, maintaining low readmission rates, and improving clinical process to reduce readmissions.
SHS has participated in the program since 2011.
SHS operates Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez and medical clinics. It is a private, not-for-profit corporation. For information, visit www.swhealth.org.