Valued Voice

According to the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health, Wisconsin’s Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) ranked among the top ten nationally for statewide quality reporting and performance, as recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This recognition reflects Wisconsin CAHs' strong participation in the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP)—a key component of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program.

MBQIP measures span several priority areas, including:

• Patient Safety: Influenza vaccination among health care personnel and antibiotic stewardship,
• Patient Experience: through the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey,
• Emergency Department Care: including transfer communication (EDTC) and outpatient metrics (OP-18 and OP-22),
• and soon, new focus areas such as CAH quality infrastructure and care coordination.

For over two decades, Wisconsin’s CAHs have led efforts in voluntarily reporting quality data through the state’s CheckPoint database, reinforcing a culture of transparency and continuous improvement. By publicly sharing quality measures, these rural hospitals drive local initiatives that enhance patient safety and care outcomes.

For more information, contact WHA Chief Quality Officer Nadine Allen.