Caldwell, ID - For a seventh year in a row, West Valley Medical Center has been named to the Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals list. IBM Watson Health identified the top hospitals from a rigorous evaluation of 3,134 short-term, acute care, non-federal hospitals in the U.S. The annual list recognizes excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience and financial health. IBM Watson Health established the list to help identify best practices that may help other healthcare organizations achieve consistent, balanced, and sustainable high performance.
"Our continued recognition on this Top 100 list, speaks to the work of our colleagues. Together, we are focused on our commitment to the care and improvement of human life," Betsy Hunsicker, chief executive officer at West Valley Medical Center, said. "Our care team strives to make a real difference in the lives of every patient we serve. This award once again reflects their exceptional efforts, now more than ever, in creating a safe environment to build healthier tomorrows."
West Valley, a 150-bed facility, is listed in the Medium Community Hospitals category. The Canyon County hospital has achieved national recognition for its implementation of initiatives to improve quality and enhance patient satisfaction. Some of these initiatives include:
- An aggressive process for early identification and treatment of severe infections proven to improve outcomes.
- A commitment to patient engagement by introducing patients to their care team and sharing information at bedside during shift changes and department transfers.
- Daily safety huddles and weekly quality meetings to review day-to-day activities regarding current safety needs of patients and staff.
This recognition demonstrates West Valley's ongoing commitment to prioritize patient-centered care, particularly during this very disruptive and challenging time. According to IBM Watson Health, as compared to similar hospitals, the hospitals included on the Fortune/IBM Watson Health100 Top Hospitals list had better results on key clinical and operational performance indicators. These include survival rates, patient complications, healthcare associated infections, 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital-wide readmission rates, length of stay, throughput in emergency rooms, inpatient expenses, profitability, and ratings from patients.
"Hospitals, health systems and the dedicated clinicians and staff who work at these organizations have emerged as true heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are grateful to be able to recognize these extraordinary leaders at this time," said Kyu Rhee, M.D., M.P.P., Vice President and Chief Health Officer, IBM Watson Health. "From small community hospitals to major teaching hospitals, organizations on this list demonstrate a relentless commitment to high value, patient-centered care and innovation. It is clear that the COVID-19 crisis will be a catalyst for reinvention, and we believe these top performing hospitals are positioned to emerge stronger and smarter out of this crisis."
The annual list was unveiled on Fortune.com. For more information, visit 100 Top Hospitals.