Adding to its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Dickinson County Healthcare has been named a 2019 Top Rural Hospital. Widely acknowledged as the most prestigious distinction a hospital can receive, the Top Rural Hospital award recognizes a hospital’s commitment to excellence in patient safety and quality.
The Top Hospital designation is awarded by The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital watchdog organization.
“We are deeply honored to be one of 18 of the nations’ best rural hospitals to be recognized nationwide by this award. The Top Rural Hospital designation underscores the collective commitment of our staff, physicians, and hospital leadership to the highest standards of care,” said Chuck Nelson, DCH Chief Executive Officer.
“We leverage ratings as a tool to continually improve. This recognition together with our October “A” recognition (also from The Leapfrog Group) demonstrates that we continue to provide the highest quality of care to the residents and visitors of Dickinson County. The Leapfrog recognition is an excellent confirmation that our system of care is stronger than ever,” Nelson said.
DCH is one of 18 hospitals in the United States to be named on the list and one of two in the Upper Peninsula.
“A hospital isn’t buildings and specialized equipment — a hospital is people,” said Nelson. “Earning even one Leapfrog Award is result of exceptional teamwork and dedication from all of our employees. Earning this recognition year after year is proof positive that our team has some of the hardest working and committed health-care professionals in the United States.”
Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors.
“It takes leadership, teamwork and absolute dedication to patients to achieve this award,” Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, said in a statement. “We’re encouraged by the hard work of Top Hospitals, as well as all of the hospitals that compete for this award. Their transparency and determination deliver the best possible care in their communities.”
Leapfrog’s analysis shows the top hospitals have better systems in place to prevent medication errors, higher quality on maternity care and lower infection rates, among other qualities.