The 168-bed community hospital was lauded for its consistent placement in top national rankings for quality and patient safety, financial stewardship, and engaged leadership.
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper, Indiana has been named one of five winners of the 2018 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
Memorial was the only hospital selected for the prestigious award, which "recognizes exemplary organizations and businesses that demonstrate an unceasing drive for radical innovation, thoughtful leadership, and administrative improvement," the U.S. Department of Commerce said in a media release.
A person who answered the telephone at Memorial said the hospital would issue a statement "probably in a day or so."
Generally considered to be one of the most prestigious awards offered by the federal government, Baldrige winners are evaluated in seven areas: leadership; strategy; customers; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce; operations; and results. The award was established by Congress in 1987 and there have been 123 winners.
Organizations can compete in one of six categories: manufacturing, service, small business, healthcare, education and nonprofit (including government agencies).
Memorial is a 168-bed community hospital that is sponsored by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary. The Jasper-based health system includes 32 outpatient primary and specialty care clinics and medical practices. The health system provides care for 6,600 inpatients and 254,000 outpatients through 29,000 emergency department visits annually.
Among the many accolades cited for the award, the Baldrige committee noted that Memorial has consistently received top scores from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and private rating entities in the areas of value-based payment performance, and patient safety, with no cases of pressure ulcers, central line-associated bloodstream infections since 2016, and no methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus since 2015.
Financially, Memorial was lauded for improving its cash on hand from 180 days in 2016 to 215 in 2018. In addition, Memorial's long-term debt as a percentage of capital improved from approximately 25% in FY2016 to approximately 21% in FY2018, and its days in accounts receivable improved from 48 days in FY2017 to 41 in FY2018.
Memorial's leadership was singled out by the Baldrige committee for embracing "a faith-based culture focused on 'Radical Loving Care' and the core competency of 'Being for Others.'
"Enterprise-wide, members of the workforce are enthusiastic about the distinctive culture and are empowered to meet their patients' medical, emotional, and spiritual needs," according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which oversees the award.
NIST also noted Memorial's senior leadership "encourage frank, two-way communication and engagement of MHHCC's workforce, providers, patients, and other customers."
"Their extensive efforts include senior leaders regularly visiting departments; an open-door policy; hand-written, thank-you cards; the 'Really Impressive Moments' recognition program; the Friday Facts email by the CEO, which lists his personal cell phone number; and Patient Family Advisory Councils," NIST said.
In addition to Memorial, the award was given to two educational institutions, an organ donor group, and a project management firm.
"These awardees are inspiring in so many ways," said Walter G. Copan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology at NIST.
"Each honoree strengthens our economy through its organizational excellence and positive impacts for its customers, students, patients and employees," Copan said. "They exemplify the American spirit in action and are role models for success in business and commerce."
The other 2018 honorees are:
- Alamo Colleges District, San Antonio, Texas (education)
- Donor Alliance, Denver, Colorado (nonprofit)
- Integrated Project Management Company, Inc., Burr Ridge, Illinois (small business)
- Tri County Tech, Bartlesville, Oklahoma (education)
This year's winners were selected from among 27 finalists by an independent panel of judges. The awards will be presented at a ceremony next April.
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Memorial has consistently received 5 Star rankings from CMS, and top scores from other hospital rating entities.
The health system has effectively eliminated pressure ulcers, CLABSI, and MRSA.
Memorial was the only hospital among the five winners of this year's prestigious award.