Spencer Hospital Earns National Accreditation

posted on Thursday, June 23, 2022 in General

Spencer Hospital was recently awarded accreditation by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ), a national accreditation organization sanctioned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The recognition reflects the hospital’s commitment to care practices and standards that are consistent with patient safety and quality care outcomes.

“Spencer Hospital has a long-standing commitment to the continuous improvement activities needed to enhance care and services to the communities we serve,” said Bill Bumgarner, Spencer Hospital president. “CIHQ accreditation demonstrates that our quality assessment and improvement initiatives effectively advance care processes and optimize the care offered to our patients.”

The accreditation process included a rigorous, unannounced onsite assessment in April.  CIHQ representatives toured the hospital and its affiliated clinics to review medical records; observe care practices; interview patients and employees; and assess compliance with a wide range of regulatory requirements.  The affiliated clinics included in the survey process were Avera Medical Group Spencer, Northwest Iowa Bone, Joint & Sports Surgeons, Northwest Iowa Ear, Nose & Throat, Milford Family Care and Sioux Rapids Family Care.

In past years, Spencer Hospital was surveyed by the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals.  Hospital leadership chose to seek CIHQ accreditation, which in addition to requiring more frequent inspection visits, routinely provides education and consultation regarding best healthcare practices.

“Nationally, Spencer Hospital has been recognized as a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital for the past seven years based on achieving excellence in both care and business outcomes,” Bumgarner said. “The CIHQ accreditation process was another opportunity to further challenge ourselves to be the best we can be in service to our patients.”

Bumgarner expressed his appreciation to Spencer Hospital’s employees and its medical staff for their commitment to excellence.

“In the end, it’s the professionalism and compassion of the hospital’s employees, medical staff and our partners in care that make Spencer Hospital one of the state’s preeminent rural hospitals,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have such an outstanding and caring team.”