PLYMOUTH, N.H. — Speare Memorial Hospital has once again been named one of the HealthStrong™ Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the United States.

The HealthStrong™ Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals, including Speare, scored best among critical access hospitals on the iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength Index™.  The 2013 Top 100 CAH announcement is the second release of this important designation.

“We are thrilled to have once again been named one of the country’s top 100 Critical Access Hospital’s,” says CEO Michelle McEwen.  “Achieving this designation is a testament to our physicians, nurses, clinicians and support staff’s dedication and commitment to a our mission—to provide excellent healthcare for our community every day— by providing a consistent, quality patient care experience.  This is something we can all be proud of.”   This is the second national award for Speare in 2013 recognizing the hospital for demonstrating quality of care, patient outcomes and satisfaction.  In February Speare was awarded the National Rural Health Resource Center Recognition for Quality award; only one of eight critical access hospitals nationally to receive the award.

The Hospital Strength Index is first-ever comprehensive rating of CAHs and the results recognize the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals that provide a “safety- net “to communities across rural America – measuring them across 56 different performance metrics, including quality, outcomes, patient perspective, affordability and efficiency. More information can be found at www.iVantageHealth.com/HSI  .

“Rural hospitals play a critical role in providing needed care to communities across America, yet the challenges are completely different while being as complex as urban hospital,” says John Morrow, EVP of iVantage Health Analytics.  “The need for enhanced performance and a framework for success are equally important as hospitals prepare for the impact of health reform.”

            Speare Memorial Hospital is a 24-hour, acute care, non-profit community hospital and health care provider serving the greater Plymouth area in central New Hampshire. Visit online at www.speare2020.wpengine.com and join us on Facebook.