JCH&L Among Top 10 Nebraska Hospitals For Rural Provider Excellence in Quality

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Jefferson Community Health & Life was named among the Top 10 Nebraska hospitals for Rural Provider Excellence in Quality by the Chartis Center for Rural Health and the Nebraska Department of Health. Presented at this year’s Nebraska Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Health Clinics Conference on Quality, the Rural Provider Excellence in Quality Award honors Top 10 overall performance in quality among the state’s Critical Access Hospitals.

“Quality is of utmost importance to all of us at Jefferson Community Health and Life,” said JCH&L CEO Burke Kline, DHA, MHA, MBA, CHFP, FACHE. “We are pleased to be honored among the top rural health facilities in Nebraska for our quality.”

This is the sixth year JCH&L has received the recognition since it began in 2018.

The Rural Provider Excellence in Quality Award utilizes the Chartis Center for Rural Health’s Hospital Strength INDEX® framework to analyze Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) measures for all Critical Access Hospitals in Nebraska. The analysis percentile-ranks performance for each facility across 22 equally weighted, core MBQIP metrics. Hospitals with the 10 highest scores are recognized with the Rural Provider Excellence in Quality Award.

“Each year, Critical Access Hospitals in Nebraska are among the nation’s top performers across multiple facets of the INDEX,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We are delighted to partner with the Nebraska Department of Health on this unique program and recognize outstanding performance in quality among the state’s Critical Access Hospitals.”

A subsidiary of The Chartis Group, iVantage Health Analytics (iVantage) is a leading provider of healthcare analytic and performance management analytic tools. Health system and hospital leadership teams across the country rely on the company’s software and services to deliver customized insights on clinical and financial performance, strategic planning, market assessment and payment optimization. iVantage’s analytics are the basis of continuing thought leadership and insight in the areas of healthcare policy and research.

The Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project is a quality improvement activity under the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) grant program of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health policy. The goal is to improve the quality of care in Critical Access Hospitals by increasing quality data reporting and driving quality improvement activities based on the data.

JCH&L Receives Award from Chartis Center for Rural Health

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Performance Leadership Award Recognizes Quality and Patient Perspective

FAIRBURY, NE – As part of the National Rural Health Day celebration, Jefferson Community Health & Life announced it has been recognized with a 2023 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality and Patient Perspective. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (e.g., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes and Patient Perspective.

“This recognition affirms the work and care of JCH&L’s staff, physicians and board, and the support of the community,” said JCH&L CEO Burke Kline, MHA, DHA, CHFP, FACHE. “JCH&L’s mission is to inspire healthy living by providing exceptional health and life services for every person, every time. This recognition recognizes our commitment to our patients for quality and excellence in care.”

JCH&L was among 25 Nebraska hospitals recognized for quality, and among 25 Nebraska hospitals recognized for Patient Perspective.

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is trusted and relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

“Wherever we go in rural America, we witness first-hand the commitment, determination, and compassion with which rural hospitals serve their communities. Rural healthcare truly is mission-driven,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “This National Rural Health Day, let us recognize the efforts of this year’s Performance Leadership Award winners and all those driven to deliver high quality care throughout rural communities.”

Performance Leadership Award recipients are rural hospitals ranking in the 75th percentile or above in the INDEX performance pillars for Quality, Outcomes, or Patient Perspective.

Jefferson Community Health & Life has previously been recognized with the NOSORH/iVantage Performance Leadership award for quality and patient perspective in 2022, 2021; quality in 2020; for quality, outcomes and patient perspective in 2017, 2018 and 2019; the Performance Leadership award for financial strength and patient satisfaction in 2016; named as a Top 100 critical access hospital for 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, and 2014; named as a Top 20 critical access hospital for quality in 2020 and Top 20 overall in 2018; and named a HEALTHSTRONG hospital in 2015.

JCH&L Sleep Study Services Re-Accredited

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Jefferson Community Health & Life has been re-accredited for sleep lab services and home sleep studies by the Accrediting Commission for Health Care. The accreditation is through October 2026.

Sleep studies, also known as polysomnography, are a non-invasive overnight exam that allows trained technicians to monitor the patient during sleep to determine if treatment is necessary for sleep disordered breathing. During a study, sensors measure sleep stages, heart and breathing rates, blood oxygen, snoring, body movements and eye movements. The study is interpreted by a board-certified sleep medicine physician and results are shared with the ordering physician. Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance companies will cover sleep studies.

Sleep studies can be ordered by family medicine providers or specialists, and will be coordinated at JCH&L by Respiratory Therapist Stacy Shumard. Stacy sets up all in-home studies, and technicians from Rural Sleep Solutions do studies that are done in the facility.

Jefferson Community Health & Life has been offering sleep studies locally since 2003, and was accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care in 2018 and 2020. The Medicare and Medicaid programs began requiring accreditation in 2017.

National Rural Health Day Celebrates the Power of Rural

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FAIRBURY – Jefferson Community Health & Life celebrates the Power of Rural on National Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov. 16.  The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health sets aside the third Thursday of every November to celebrate National Rural Health Day. Anyone in the JCH&L facility on Nov. 16 is encouraged to thank a healthcare worker for their dedication in keeping exceptional care close to home.

National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to “Celebrate the Power of Rural” by honoring the selfless, community-minded, “can do” spirit of that prevails in rural America. But it also provides an opportunity to bring to light the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face – and showcase the efforts of rural healthcare providers, State Offices of Rural Health and other rural stakeholders to address those challenges.

Jefferson Community Health & Life is one of more than 1,362 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States, and 63 Critical Access Hospitals in the state of Nebraska. The Critical Access Hospital designation is designed to reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare by keeping essential services in rural communities. Critical Access Hospitals receive cost-based Medicare reimbursement. Jefferson Community Health Center became a Critical Access Hospital in 2000.

“Being a Critical Access Hospital does not limit us in the services we can provide for our area residents. It helps us to offer services which might be less affordable because of fewer patients needing the services,” said JCH&L CEO Burke Kline, MHA, DHA, CHFP, FACHE.

Jefferson Community Health & Life Fairbury Clinic is one of 122 Rural Health Clinics in the state and 4,413 in the United States.

The Rural Health Clinic (RHC) program is intended to increase access to primary care services for patients in rural communities. They are required to use a team approach of physicians working with non-physician providers such as nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) to provide services.

Health care organizations are important for rural communities – not only for accessibility and availability of health care, but also for economic development. Jefferson Community Health & Life is one of many health care providers in Jefferson County, and is the largest health care employer, with more than 250 staff members. JCH&L is consistently one of the top three employers in Jefferson County. Each year JCH&L pays its staff more than $14.8 million in salary and provides more than $3.7 million in benefits.

“The jobs at JCH&L require a wide variety of skills, training and education,” Dr. Kline said. “We employ high school students who are just getting started with part-time jobs and on-the-job training, all the way through the spectrum of educational levels to those with advanced medical degrees.”

JCH&L’s primary service area is Jefferson County, with 7,176, residents as of 2021. Some patients also come from surrounding counties in Nebraska and Kansas.

Rural communities also have unique healthcare needs. Rural communities must address accessibility, provider shortages, the needs of an aging population, increasing chronic conditions, and largest percentages of uninsured and underinsured citizens, says the National Rural Health Association.

Jefferson Community Health & Life operates a 17-bed, acute-care Critical Access Hospital in Fairbury, Neb., offering inpatient and outpatient services, including surgery, therapy, screenings, and 24-hour emergency services. Jefferson Community Health & Life offers additional health and life services, including Fairbury Clinic (primary and family care), Burkley Fitness Center, Gardenside (long-term care), Home Health and Occupational Health services. In addition, Jefferson Community Health & Life supports numerous education programs and support groups. JCH&L has offered services to residents of Jefferson County and the surrounding area since 1963, and continues to grow and change as the area’s needs change.

“We strive to fulfil our vision of being a trusted partner for a lifetime of health,” Dr. Kline said. “While JCHL can’t offer every healthcare service needed by our area residents, we are proud to offer a great many services which give area residents the opportunity to receive quality healthcare in a convenient location with professional and compassionate staff. Our area residents have much to celebrate on National Rural Health Day.”

Jefferson Community Health & Life Joins #NC2 the Nebraska Cancer Coalition’s Breathe Easy Get Screened Lung Cancer Campaign

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Jefferson Community Health & Life has joined the annual statewide effort organized by the Nebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) to heighten awareness of lifesaving lung cancer screening during November, Lung Cancer Awareness month.

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in Nebraska for both men and women. In 2023, the American Cancer Society estimates 1,340 new cases and 630 deaths from lung cancer in Nebraska. The stage of diagnosis strongly affects outcomes. The most recent Nebraska data indicates that the 5-year relative survival rates for lung cancer are 61% for early-stage diagnoses, while rates for later-stage cases fall to 34% for regional diagnoses and 7% for distant diagnoses.

“Lung cancer screening is critical, as symptoms often only become prevalent in later stages of the disease when it’s much more difficult to Breathe Easy and battle the disease. It’s important for Nebraskans with a history of smoking to talk to their health care provider about screening as soon as possible, especially those who have postponed appointments because of the pandemic,” said NC2 President Dr. Alan Thorson.

“Speaking with your primary care provider about cancer screening is something we encourage all Nebraskans to do. Take ownership of your heath and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself,” stated Dr. Mike Romano, MD. “Physicians and healthcare providers appreciate patients who do so.”

Screening for lung cancer with a yearly low-dose CT scan for those at high risk can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20% by detecting tumors at early stages when they are more likely to be curable according to the American Lung Association (ALA). Lung cancer screening is recommended by the CDC for people ages 50-80 years with a 20+ pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. In 2022, the ALA reported only 6% of Nebraskans at high risk for lung cancer were screened.  It is critical that we spread the word that in order to Breathe Easy, Nebraskans should get screened for lung cancer.

Lung cancer screening is available at Jefferson Community Health & Life with a referral from your medical provider.

Leta Mau Named 2023 Caring Kind

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Leta Mau, Nutrition Services dining room attendant, was honored as the JCH&L Caring Kind recipient for 2023 on Friday, Oct. 27, during the Nebraska Hospital Association convention held in LaVista.

Mau was recognized by her nominators as making every resident feel special. She always has a smile on her face and is willing to help anyone who needs it. She is recognized as being dedicated and helping things to run smoothly.

As a nutrition services staff member for 13 years, she knows the residents’ preferences and make sure they get what they most enjoy while in the dining room.  She makes a special effort to make sure each resident feels special on his or her birthday.

Leta will be honored at the Nebraska Hospital Association’s Caring Kind luncheon on Friday, Oct. 27, in LaVista, with the other Caring Kind honorees from across the state.

For 44 years, the Nebraska Hospital Association has bestowed awards to Nebraska health care employees who have risen to the top by providing service excellence and dedication to their profession. These award recipients commit themselves to the betterment of their hospitals and health systems, their customers, their co-workers, and their communities. In that time NHA has honored more than 2,800 of Nebraska’s most caring and dedicated hospital and health system employees.

Photo by Roger Humphries

2200 H St., PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE