Recognition Measures Quality, Patient Perspective, Financial Efficiency & More
HILLSDALE, Mich.—Hillsdale Hospital today ann
ounced it has been recognized as a 2022 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™. The INDEX assesses performance in eight areas: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and financial efficiency.
“We are honored to be counted among the nation’s top rural hospitals by the most trusted organization in the country when it comes to accurately evaluating rural hospitals,” JJ Hodshire, president and CEO, said. “Our organization’s vision is that through strong local governance, we will lead the nation in defining and advancing the role of rural health providers. This recognition demonstrates our commitment and progress toward realizing that vision, all thanks to the work of our incredible team.”
Over the course of the last 12 years, the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.
“Despite unprecedented adversity, rural providers continue to display resiliency and a steadfast commitment to their communities,” said Michael Topchik, national leader of the Chartis Center for Rural Health. “Honoring the Top 100 is one of the highpoints of our year. We are delighted to recognize the exceptional performance and innovation of this year’s recipients, particularly in light of the extraordinary challenges facing America’s rural health safety net.”
Even with the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hillsdale Hospital has continued to take care of its community. The hospital has even expanded its services and specialties over the past two years, ensuring families have access to high-quality care when and where they need it.
Since 2020, Hillsdale Hospital continually upgraded, expanded and launched new services and technologies. The hospital has made strategic investments launching a new mammography system, upgrading its MRI as the first public hospital in the state to have Air™ Coil technology on a 1.5 Tesla magnet and becoming one of the first six hospitals in the nation to offer thulium laser lithotripsy for minimally-invasive kidney stone treatment. The hospital also expanded outpatient and launched inpatient pulmonology, acquired an occupational medicine practice, expanded its Center for Pain Management, opened the Center for Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine and more. These efforts also strengthen the hospital’s financial position to cement its future long-term.
“Due to the unique environment rural hospitals operate in, financial sustainability is much more difficult than in urban and suburban areas,” Hodshire said. “Because of this, we cannot afford to stop or slow down our growth strategy, even in the midst of a pandemic. Hillsdale Hospital has been caring for this community for 106 years and will continue to do so for the next 106 years and beyond.”
