BRMC named to quality honor roll

Barrow Regional is one of 16 hospitals in the state to earn the chairman’s category designation – the highest designation on the list.

Hospitals are selected for the honor based on clinical data provided by the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), which administers the nation’s Medicare and Medicaid programs. The data was collected from January 2009 to December 2009.

“This is a great accomplishment for Barrow Regional Medical Center,” said Joseph Parker, president of GHA. “This recognition further underscores the commitment of the Barrow Regional Medical Center staff to ensuring that every patient receives the best, most effective health care possible.”

All acute care hospitals are required to submit care data to CMS. This data details hospital adherence to a list of eight Appropriate Care Measures (ACM). These measures are considered to be the most effective methods of treatment for patients who have suffered heart attacks, heart failure or pneumonia.

This data is analyzed to determine whether a patient has received the appropriate care. For instance, a recommended treatment to help prevent a heart attack is to take aspirin either before or upon arrival at the hospital, as well as at discharge. Following specified protocols usually leads to better patient outcomes.

“It is our mission to ensure that each of our patients receive the right care at the right time and this recognition validates this,” said Blake Watts, chief executive officer of Barrow Regional Medical Center. “This honor is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our staff who are constantly working to make excellent care even better.”

Barrow Regional Medical Center is a 56-bed acute care facility which provides acute care, diagnostic services, emergency services and outpatient services. The facility is recognized by The Joint Commission, American College of Radiology and the College of American Pathologists.