Sparta Community Hospital Quality Council (l-r): Dan Walker, Director of Ancillary Services, Ruth Holloway, Director of Quality & Risk Management; Joann Coke, Quality Coordinator; Angie Oathout, Director of Process Improvement; Lori Clinton, Chief Nurse Executive; Joann Emge, Chief Executive Officer. Not pictured: Kelly Wood, MD.

The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) recently recognized Sparta Community Hospital for its ongoing commitment to exceptional quality of care, during a ceremony held November 10th at the I-Hotel and Conference Center, Champaign, IL.

As part of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program (MBQIP), Sparta Community Hospital and other critical access hospitals were asked to voluntarily participate in four defined domains of quality outcomes.  These four domains include: Patient Safety/Inpatient; Patient Engagement; Care Transitions; and Outpatient Measures.

“Often, in rural hospitals, having a devoted staff member to abstract and submit this data can be both time-consuming and burdensome,” said Laura Fischer, ICAHN Flex Grant Project Manager.  “This hospital realizes how important quality of care and an engaged staff is for its patients… from its top leadership on throughout the facility, each strives for continued quality on a daily basis, and that is what we are celebrating today.”

Sparta Community Hospital was recognized for being in the top 10% of all critical access hospitals in the country for safety/inpatient, and also, outpatient quality measures.

“We are very proud of our team for achieving this level of excellence in health quality,” said Joann Emge, CEO, Sparta Community Hospital.  “This is truly a team effort that recognizes our dedication for delivering a healthcare experience in which our patients and staff can be proud.”

The Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program began in 2011 as a way for critical access hospitals to demonstrate the quality of care that they provide.  This program has continued to evolve, adding new measures, and removing outdated ones.  In 2016, the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy deemed it necessary for CAHs to participate in at least one measure of one domain to receive Flex funding opportunities.  Each year, FORHP has increased the level at which the hospital must participate to remain Flex fund eligible.