Sidney Health Center Receives Quality Award

Sidney Health Center was recently awarded the Montana Rural Healthcare Performance Improvement Network’s Quality Improvement Award for its work on reducing the risk of MRSA transmission.

The Montana Rural Healthcare Performance Improvement Network (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 2011 and 2012, PIN members worked in one or more of three focus areas to improve the quality of care provided to the members of their communities: implementing the clinical practice guidelines and treatment goals of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign; reducing the risk of MRSA transmission in the hospital, improving heart failure care and improving the patient’s experience in the CAH. Applicants for awards in 2012 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.

Sidney Health Center 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. Pam McGlothlin, Director of Nursing, and Peggy Kopp, Performance Improvement Coordinator received the award for the facility at the Performance Improvement Network’s regional meeting held in October.