Ozarks Healthcare honored for Commitment to Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Efforts

Ozarks Healthcare has received a gold medal from Health Quality Innovators (HQI) through the Health Quality Improvement Contractors (HQIC) Recognition Program for their success in improving the quality and safety of healthcare. Despite challenges over the last four years, HQIC participants remained committed to quality improvement, providing person-centered and equitable care and producing better health outcomes.

Medals were awarded based on performance in over 30 focus areas, including:

• Improvement or sustainment of performance in quality and patient safety measures.
• Overall engagement and participation during the contract.
• Sharing lessons learned and best practices through newsletter articles, featured speakers and affinity groups.
• Implementation of key leadership, person/family engagement and health equity structural measures.

 “We’re proud to be recognized for our dedicated work in the HQIC program,” Christen Weaver, Ozarks Healthcare Executive Director of Quality, said. “This award highlights the commitment of our incredible team of people working to improve the health and safety of patients we serve in this community.” 

About HQI

Health Quality Innovators (HQI) is an independent, non-profit organization that offers healthcare providers practical solutions backed by objectivity and expertise. They consult on complex government healthcare programs, implement change on the front lines of care and shine new light on improvement challenges. HQI brings together organizations and individuals who are making healthcare better for millions of Americans through funding provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Members include hospitals, providers, community-based organizations, healthcare associations and families.

Ozarks Healthcare is a not-for-profit health system that serves more than 160,000 residents across south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. With its main campus residing in West Plains, Missouri, the health system offers a full spectrum of healthcare for all ages through its 114-bed hospital, behavioral health, therapies, pharmacies, rehabilitation, and home care services, along with specialty and family medicine clinics. Ozarks Healthcare has rural locations across an eight-county service area and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.