Clay County Hospital Receives Award of Merit from Illinois Rural Health Association

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Published on August 27 2015 2:28 pm
Last Updated on August 27 2015 2:28 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(FROM LEFT: I-R-H-A EXECUTIVE MARGARET VAUGHN, CLAY COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN TED WHITEHEAD, CLAY COUNTY HOSPITAL CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER MIKE HOBBS, HOSPITAL DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL PRACTICE MIKE McCLANE, AND CLAY COUNTY HOSPITAL CLINIC MEDICAL DIRECTOR DR. BRANDON CYCHOLL)

Surrounded by health care providers and colleagues from across state, Clay County Hospital in Flora recently received the “Award of Merit” from the Illinois Rural Health Association. The award presentation was held in conjunction with the Illinois Rural Health Association’s Annual Educational Conference held recently at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria.

“Located in a town with a population of only 5,000, Clay County Hospital is very progressive and often thinks outside the box,” said IRHA Executive Director Margaret Vaughn. She cited examples such as Clay County Hospital’s implementation of their new Psychiatric/Behavioral Medicine Program, their Allergy Testing Center as well as their Heartburn Clinic. “We know it is a daily struggle for these rural hospitals and want to recognize those that do the most they can with limited resources to provide access to quality healthcare for their communities.”

The Illinois Rural Health Association (IRHA) “Award of Merit” was created to recognize an individual, group of individuals, or agency who has made an outstanding contribution to the rural health movement or has successfully developed an innovative program or project to address access to care for the underserved.

Amada Basso, President of Clay County Hospital stated: “I am proud of the dedicated staff and Physicians at Clay County Hospital. We are also grateful for the support of our local communities. These two things are allowing Clay County Hospital to continue to provide exceptional care for our neighbors and friends.”

Clay County Hospital is a critical access facility located in Flora, the only inpatient provider in Clay County and the area. They have provided healthcare in the area over the years and have helped in both healthcare services and outreach programs within the community. These efforts and contributions have been in all areas including clinical, program and services development, patient care and financial growth of the organization.

Some of the contributions of major significance to rural health this group made:

· Implemented New Psychiatric / Behavioral Medicine Program including recruitment of a Behavioral Medicine Nurse Practitioner and Therapist (First in the area).

· Opened a third satellite clinic in Cisne to improve access to healthcare for that area. (Existing clinics in Louisville, IL and Flora, IL )

· Allergy Testing Program

· Heartburn Clinic. The next closest available hospital providing this services is in Washington, Indiana (approx. 80 miles away)

· Implemented Industry Program to service the Clay County industries for DOT physicals, Worker’s Comp and all associated therapy, and Pre-employment physicals.

Implementation of these programs have resulted in:

· 90% Employee Satisfaction Survey participation (Press Ganey's average facility participation rate is 50-60%)

· Employee of the Month Program

· Work from Home Policy implemented

Clay County Hospital closed its fiscal year on February 28th with overall growth in revenue of:

40% for in-patient services

18% growth in out-patient services

overall growth of 22%

Clinical Accomplishments included:

 · Joint Commission Certification

· IDPH and ICAHN Stroke Certification

· Recognized for excellent Cardiac Care

· Achieved record high year for ER visits at 9,137

Ted Whitehead, Chairman of the Clay County Board commented, “I am very pleased to see the positive results from all the hard work and shared vision between the hospital administration, it’s staff and the County Board! Everyone is working together with one goal in mind, and that is to provide the best possible care for our patients.“

Dr. Brandon Cycholl recently joined the staff as Clay County Hospital Clinic Medical Director and was able to be at the presentation of the award. "I am excited to be part of a health care organization that focuses on it's striving for quality health care in a rural area,” said Dr. Cycholl.

Clay County Hospital has had continued growth in net revenues over the last five years, and increased volumes while reaching employee satisfaction rates of 90%.