CFVH Receives Quality Award
Clark Fork Valley Hospital, in Plains was recently awarded the Montana Rural Healthcare Performance Improvement Network's Quality Improvement Award for its work on improving pediatric emergency room care. The awards were announced during the general session at the MHA Annual Convention held in Billings on September 22, 2011. For Clark Fork Valley Hospital, this award marks the second award received from the Montana Rural Healthcare Performance Network (PIN) and the third over the passed two years for quality improvement.
The PIN is a voluntary membership of 48 critical access hospitals throughout the state. Through this Network, member hospitals are able to benchmark their performance with their peers on a variety of financial, utilization and direct patient care measures that encourage safe, effective, patient-centered care delivery in even the most remote communities of the state. PIN quality of care measures are based on national benchmarks, but are tailored to reflect the realities of the state's rural population.
Throughout 2010 and 2011, PIN members worked in one or more of three focus areas to improve the quality of care provided to the members of their communities: improving the response of the emergency department to trauma as well as pediatric emergency patients; reducing the risk of MRSA transmission in the hospital, and improving performance on national standards of care. Applicants for awards in 2011 were required to demonstrate consistent participation in the PIN's benchmarking program and measurable improvement in two or more of the quality of care focus areas over the previous 12 months.
Clark Fork Valley Hospital has demonstrated a commitment to its community and the region it serves through its efforts to participate in the PIN's benchmarking and quality of care improvement programs. Chris Cockrell, RN, Performance Improvement Manager and Dawn Lynch, RN, Director of Patient Care Services received the award for the facility at the Performance Improvement Network's regional meeting held in Plains on October 19, 2011.
"This award represents a lot of work done by CFVH staff who are dedicated to the level of quality care we provide for our patients. Many of our nurses and providers who care for patients in the ER and trauma settings are caring for their friends and neighbors, making the level of care they provide even more personal. Although we are a small rural hospital, our quality is ranked among the best and we are fortunate to have such an exceptional healthcare facility in our community." shared Chris Cockrell.