Honored for overall excellence in quality and patient perspective

Jefferson Community Health & Life has been recognized by The Chartis Center for Rural Health/iVantage Health Analytics and the National Organization of State Office of Rural Health (NOSORH) for overall excellence in quality and patient perspective, reflecting top quartile performance among all rural hospitals in the nation.

“This recognition affirms the work and care of JCH&L’s staff, physicians and board, and the support of the community,” said Burke Kline, DHA, CHFP, FACHE, JCH&L CEO. “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 32 Nebraska hospitals recognized for quality, and 24 Nebraska hospitals recognized for patient perspective.

The Performance Leadership Awards utilize the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is trusted 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 a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

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

“We are proud to mark this year’s National Rural Health Day by recognizing rural hospitals’ steadfast commitment to serving their communities and delivering high quality care,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “In the face of tremendous challenges, these top quartile performers continue to exemplify the power of rural and create a blueprint for excellence in quality, outcomes and patient perspectives.”

Jefferson Community Health & Life has previously been recognized with the NOSORH/iVantage Performance Leadership award for 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 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.

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 Burke Kline, DHA, CHFP, FACHE, JCH&L CEO. “We are pleased to be honored among the top rural health facilities in Nebraska for our quality.”

This is the fourth 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.

“Our Critical Access Hospitals place a tremendous amount of emphasis on delivering a high level of quality, and we are proud to highlight and recognize their efforts,” said Nancy Jo Hansen, Flex and SHIP Program Manager, Nebraska Department of Health. “These top 10 award winners are a testament to the commitment to quality we see across Nebraska, the power of innovation and the belief that improving the care experience is always possible.”

“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.

Jen Johnson is the new JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center manager and is looking forward to sharing awareness of health and fitness. She will begin the full-time position in mid-November.

Johnson has been a fitness instructor at the Burkley Fitness Center since 2016. She is a certified Body Pump instructor. She looks forward to expanding to teach additional classes, and hopes to work with area coaches and athletes with sports performance training.

She said the Burkley Fitness Center is easily accessible, has great programs and equipment, is staffed during all open hours so there is always help available, and is reasonably priced.

“You have your health in your hands. It’s right here. Come in and grab it!” Johnson said.

Johnson said staff is always ready to help members and guests – with questions about using equipment or their fitness program.

“There is no silly question. If we don’t know, we will find out,” Johnson said. “We are learning all the time.”

Johnson is planning to implement some new incentives – watch for details to come soon. She stressed that the Burkley Fitness Center is for all ages and all fitness levels.

“We have the resources to help everyone reach your true potential. Let us help you – let us guide you – let us push you,” Johnson said.

Johnson and her husband Tanner live in Daykin and have two daughters, Dream, 9, and Vatalia, 6. Johnson grew up in Milligan and is the daughter of Charlie and Sue Morton of Milligan.

Those interested in more information about the Burkley Fitness Center can call 402-729-6139, check out the website at JCHealthandLife.org/locations/Burkley-Fitness-Center, or stop by for a tour. The entrance is currently on the north side of the building because of JCH&L’s construction project. The fitness center is open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Wellness Experience Offers Women a Convenient Way to Take Control of Their Health

In just about three hours women from Jefferson County and beyond can complete their annual health checks and receive a well-deserved indulgence at the same time. Women’s Health Day is a complete wellness experience designed to make women’s health easy. Jefferson Community Health & Life is now scheduling for the experience on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The program is available at the Jefferson Community Health & Life Health Center and Fairbury Clinic on select days every month, and includes:

* Personalized guidance from an on-site Women’s Health Day navigator

* Important health screenings, including fasting lab tests, a screening mammogram and a routine annual exam to assess overall and gynecological health (lab test and mammogram results will be available before participants leave for the day, while Pap test results will be provided later by mail)

* Complimentary breakfast and a relaxing indulgence—such as an express manicure or hand massage, for example. Offerings may vary.

* Reserved parking

“It’s so important for women to make time for their own health, but we know life sometimes gets in the way,” said Erin Starr, Chief Nursing Officer. “That’s why we created Women’s Health Day—to provide a convenient way for women to get their essential health screenings all at once, while also taking time to unwind.”

All major insurance plans are accepted for screening and exams (coverage is subject to individual policy terms). JCH&L Fairbury Clinic accepts new patients.

Appointments for the Women’s Health Day experience start as early as 6:30 a.m. To schedule, call 402.729.6841.

Lab pricing was made consistent between Jefferson Community Health & Life health center and clinic services on Oct. 1.

“Because we are all one organization, having different lab prices for the clinic and the health center was confusing, and was a potential compliance concern,” said Chance Klasek, JCH&L CFO. “For compliance, consistency, and less confusion, lab prices were made consistent across the board within our facilities as of Oct. 1.”

If you have questions, please contact Chance Klasek, CFO, at 402-729-3351, extension 4427.