Jim Daly Chief Information Officer | Washington Regional Medical Center
Jim Daly Chief Information Officer | Washington Regional Medical Center
Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, has been recognized for having one of the nation's lowest hospital readmission rates for heart failure patients. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, the center ranks among the top ten in the United States for this measure. This data, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in February, covers the period from July 2020 to June 2023.
Low readmission rates are key indicators of hospital care quality, suggesting effective and cost-efficient patient management. In August 2024, Becker's Hospital Review also noted that the CMS data showed Washington Regional Medical Center as having one of the lowest overall readmission rates nationally, and the best acute hospital readmission rate in Arkansas.
Larry Shackelford, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Washington Regional is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care, and this latest CMS data demonstrates that commitment. The cardiovascular experts at Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute work collaboratively to provide world-class cardiovascular care right here in Northwest Arkansas.”
Washington Regional has focused on reducing heart failure readmissions by educating patients and their caregivers about their conditions, utilizing case managers to ensure coordinated care at discharge, and facilitating smooth care transitions through collaborations with primary and specialty care providers. They have partnered with the UAMS/Washington Regional Internal Medicine Residency Program’s Transitions of Care Clinic for transitional patient care post-hospital discharge.
Chief Medical Officer David Ratcliff, MD, said, “Nationally, heart failure hospital readmissions account for up to 26.9% of total readmissions, and heart failure has the highest 30-day readmission rate among all surgical and medical conditions. This latest achievement demonstrates Walker Heart Institute’s commitment to patients with heart failure, both in the hospital and after they go home, to help them navigate the process of living with a chronic condition while managing symptoms, medications and lifestyle adjustments.”
Adding to its recognition, Washington Regional is designated by U.S. News & World Report as a High Performing Hospital for heart failure for 2024-2025.
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