OCMC is named ‘safest’ hospital in Ark.

Safest hospital in Arkansas
Staff members of the Ouachita County Medical Center pose for a photo after being ranked the Safest Hospital in Arkansas by Consumer Reports magazine. Pictured in front row, from left, are Carolyn Graham, Diane Isaacs, Maria Delgado, Leona Brown, Lori Fairris, Candice Smith, Nita Smith, Roxie Rabion, Holly Lucas, Amy Jeffress, Melodee Sanders and Mearlene Ball. Back row, from left, Milton Leak, Tiffany Richardson, Pat Johnson, Jason McLendon, Dr. Setephen Tabe, Dr. John Henriksen, Todd Pennington and Rodney Fife. See related article.
Safest hospital in Arkansas Staff members of the Ouachita County Medical Center pose for a photo after being ranked the Safest Hospital in Arkansas by Consumer Reports magazine. Pictured in front row, from left, are Carolyn Graham, Diane Isaacs, Maria Delgado, Leona Brown, Lori Fairris, Candice Smith, Nita Smith, Roxie Rabion, Holly Lucas, Amy Jeffress, Melodee Sanders and Mearlene Ball. Back row, from left, Milton Leak, Tiffany Richardson, Pat Johnson, Jason McLendon, Dr. Setephen Tabe, Dr. John Henriksen, Todd Pennington and Rodney Fife. See related article.

— The Ouachita County Medical Center has been ranked as the "Safest Hospital In Arkansas by Consumer Reports magazine, according to a news release.

Peggy Abbott, OCMC president and CEO, stated in the release that the hospital received a score of 68 out of a possible 100 in the category, and received the highest rating of any hospital in Arkansas.

The rating is based upon information collected from all public reporting entities, including CMS. The Safety Score is a summary of five categories that relate to hospital safety: Avoiding infections, avoiding readmissions, communicating about medications and discharge, appropriate use of chest and abdominal scanning, and avoiding mortality, both medical and surgical.

"Achieving this rating - and recognition - is most gratifying because, as you are well aware, we have placed a tremendous focus on the patient experience," Abbott stated in the release. "I have long felt that we have an outstanding group of professionals at OCMC, who are committed to doing the right thing for the patient. This ranking proves that our efforts have been worthwhile. We far surpassed the larger facilities, including Arkansas Heart and Baptist!"

Abbott thanked the hospital's board of directors, and said she is proud of the OCMC employees and grateful to be a part of "such an outstanding organization."

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