Dixie Regional Medical Center Honored

ST. GEORGE — Dixie Regional Medical Center was recently name done of the best regional hospitals in the country by U.S. News &World Report.

This is an unsolicited honor thehospital received after a report reviewed basic criteria like qualityof service and overall costs at hospitals throughout the United States, said Terri Kane, the CEOand administrator of Dixie Regional Medical Center.

“This is a result of the passionand energy from the skilled andtalented people that work here,”she said.

The award, which is based on Dixie Regional’s commitment to the St. George community and nearbyareas, is an honor for the hospital’s administration, physicians,nurses and other staff members, Kane said.

“That is what really inspires what we do here,” she said. “Our employees see the difference that they make and know our patients are the most important part of our system. They are why we are here.”

This is the first time  U.S. News & World Report has compiled a list of the best regional hospitals in the country, said Terri Draper, the communications director for Intermountain Healthcare’s southwest region. U.S. News & World Report has recognized 247 hospitals as the country’s best regional hospitals, according to a news release issued by Dixie Regional.

“We are pretty excited about this,”  she said. “This is a first-time listing for regional and community hospitals.  We are glad to be part of it.”

U.S. News & World Report annually evaluates approximately 5,000 hospitals throughout the nation. To reach its decision on the best medical centers, certain criteria are ranked for each hospital, including death rates, patient satisfaction, cost per procedure and if there are repeat visits or problems with previous surgeries, Kane said.

While Kane said she recognizes health care costs are not cheap and are continually rising, she said Utah still ranks as one of the best states for affordable health care.

“Health care is expensive,”she said. “We recognize that, but we try and keep costs low while giving the best products and services to our patients.”

In light of the cuts and regulations being placed on the health care system, Kane said Dixie Regional is working to maintain its commitment to its patients.

“We are saving lives every day,” she said. “We are always trying to get better and faster. That is the goal.”

The Inter mountain Healthcare system, which includes Dixie Regional, Valley View Medical Center and many other hospitals, is currently ranked third in the nation for providing the best and most affordable health care, according to a study that was conducted by IMS Health, a Connecticut-based health information company.

The quality of service that Dixie Regional provides can be attributed to it being part of the Intermountain Health care system, Kane said.

“It is a system that helps us be better,”she said.

By Samantha Sadlier ssadlier@thespectrum.com

Source:  Saint George Spectrum 02/12/2012

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