Award recognizes safe surgery practices and lower rates for complications and infections

OCH Regional Medical Center has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety by the Women’s Choice Award. The award signifies that OCH is in the top 8% of 4,797 U.S. hospitals for patient safety.

“Our staff takes pride in providing personal attention to our patients, and this award from a nationally-recognized organization validates the personalized care we provide results in better outcomes for our patients,” said Jim Jackson, OCH Administrator/CEO. “In addition to meeting the strictest level of healthcare criteria, we had to earn this award from our community. In fact, only the hospitals that achieve a high level of patient satisfaction are eligible to earn the award,” explained Jackson.

Nationwide, healthcare has made significant strides in patient safety in recent years. Hospital-acquired conditions declined 21% from 2010 to 2015, resulting in 125,000 fewer patient deaths, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hospital-acquired conditions are conditions that a patient develops while in the hospital being treated for something else.

“The recipients of the America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety award have led the country by implementing safe practices that have ultimately saved lives,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “This recognition is critical for women as they make 80% of healthcare decisions and need to know they are putting themselves—and their family members—in safe hands.”

The methodology used to select OCH as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety is unique in that it evaluates 11 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) measures of infections and complications, Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results along with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences. It is the only award recognizing excellence in patient safety based on robust criteria that considers patient satisfaction and clinical excellence.

To receive the award, hospitals must also use an inpatient safe surgery checklist to assess effective communication and safe practices during three perioperative periods: prior to administration of anesthesia; prior to skin incision; and prior to the patient leaving the operating room or procedural area.

OCH is one of 399 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for patient safety in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.