South Central Reporter

Sarah Bush Lincoln Fayette County Hospital has been acknowledged by the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) for its commitment to quality care. The recognition comes as part of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program (FORHP), which invited SBL Fayette County Hospital and other critical access hospitals to participate in four domains of quality outcomes: Patient Safety/Inpatient, Patient Engagement, Care Transitions, and Outpatient Measures.

The hospital was distinguished for being among the top 10 percent of all critical access hospitals nationwide in care transitions quality measures. "We’re very proud of our team for achieving this level of excellence in health quality," stated Karen Dyer, CEO of SBL Fayette County Hospital. "This is truly a team effort that recognizes our dedication to delivering a healthcare experience of which our patients and staff can be proud."

Laura Fischer, ICAHN Flex Grant Project Manager, commented on the challenges faced by rural hospitals: “Often, in rural hospitals, having a devoted staff member to abstract and submit this data can be both time consuming and burdensome. This hospital realizes how important quality of care and an engaging 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.”

The Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program was initiated in 2011 to allow critical access hospitals to demonstrate their care quality. It has evolved over time with new measures added and outdated ones removed. In 2016, participation in at least one measure from one domain became necessary for receiving Flex funding opportunities from FORHP. Each year since then, the level of required participation has increased.

ICAHN consists of 58 small rural hospitals focused on enhancing their operations through collaboration. These Illinois hospitals have earned critical access hospital designation from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Nationally recognized for its work with rural healthcare, ICAHN administers several state, federal, and private healthcare programs.