Mercy Quality Earns
National Recognition

Blue Cross Award of Achievement - cont

Twenty-nine Idaho hospitals participated in the program. Mercy and Boundary Community Hospital and Nursing Home earned the only two Awards of Achievements. Two other hospitals received Awards of Merit.

Hospitals were judged on several criteria including the implementation of evidence-based measures that are known to improve outcomes. The primary focus was in areas such as pneumonia, heart attack treatment and diabetes care. The program promoted patient safety by monitoring infections and surgical complications and the delivery of evidence-based care for congestive heart failure.

“When you improve the quality of care you save lives and reduce overall healthcare costs,” said Dr. Doug Dammrose, medical director for Blue Cross of Idaho, the state’s largest insurer. “I want to congratulate not only the four hospitals who won awards, but all 29 who participated. All of these hospitals are winners for their commitment to the measurement and continual improvement of the quality and safety of their hospitals.”