The Chartis Center for Rural Health has named five Intermountain hospitals to its Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals publications. Bear River Valley, Cedar City, and Sevier Valley hospitals are included among the nation’s top rural facilities, and Garfield Memorial and Sanpete Valley hospitals were named top critical access hospitals. Intermountain accounted for all but two honored facilities from Utah.
Now in its 11th year, the Chartis Center’s annual program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural facilities. Hospitals are scored in 36 independent indicators across eight categories, including market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge, and financial efficiency. Hospitals with the highest overall scores are included in the annual lists. This achievement is further meaningful considering current volatility of rural hospitals nationally. According to Chartis, 25% of all such hospitals are vulnerable to closure. Despite these trends, no rural hospitals in Utah have been shuttered. The stability is partially attributed to the strength of Intermountain’s local facilities and the system’s dedication to telehealth and rural charity care contributions.
“We’re delighted to be able to spotlight the efforts of these facilities,” says Michael Topchik, national leader of The Chartis Center for Rural Health.
“Being named to the Top 100 Rural Hospitals list is a tremendous honor,” says Brandon Vonk, Bear River Valley Hospital administrator. “Our caregivers are committed to providing the highest quality healthcare at the lowest possible cost. Sustaining high-quality patient experiences with positive outcomes has been particularly challenging during the pandemic over the past year, and it’s nice to see that work recognized.”
“We’re so excited to be recognized in the 100 Critical Access Hospitals list,” says Alberto Vasquez, Garfield Memorial administrator. “Garfield’s caregivers are dedicated and compassionate individuals who provide outstanding care to their communities. I’m so proud to be associated with this outstanding group of caregivers.”
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