Ferrell Hospital achieves '4-Star' HCAHPS rating Honored for excellence in quality of care outcomes

ELDORADO - The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network recently recognized Ferrell Hospital for its ongoing commitment to exceptional quality of care during a ceremony held Nov. 13 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign.

As part of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Program, Ferrell Hospital and other critical access hospitals were asked to voluntarily participate in four defined domains of quality outcomes. These four domains include: Patient Safety/Inpatient; Patient Engagement; Care Transitions; and Outpatient Measures.

"Often, in rural hospitals, dedicating a staff member to abstract and submit this data can be both time-consuming and burdensome," said Angie Charlet, ICAHN Senior Director of Quality, Educational Services, and Compliance. "This hospital realizes how important quality of care and an engaged staff is for its patients ... From top leadership and all employees throughout the facility, each strives for continued quality on a daily basis, and that is what we are celebrating today."

Ferrell Hospital was honored for demonstrating the most improvement over one year and also for gaining a '4-Star' rating in HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey) scores. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services created the HCAHPS Star Ratings to allow consumers to more quickly and easily access the patient experience of care information on the Hospital Compare website. Star ratings also allow consumers to more easily compare hospitals.

"We are very proud of our team for achieving this level of excellence in health quality," said Alisa Coleman, Ferrell Hospital CEO. "This is truly a team effort that recognizes our dedication to delivering a health care experience of which our patients and staff can be proud."

ICAHN, located in Princeton, IL, is a network of 56 small rural Illinois hospitals dedicated to strengthening the operations of its member hospitals through collaboration. The organization is composed of Illinois hospitals which have earned critical access hospital designation by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. ICAHN is recognized nationally for its work with rural health care and administers several state, federal, and private health care programs.