Mercy Arkansas Critical Access Hospitals Receive Top 100 Designation

Four of Mercy’s rural hospitals in Arkansas recently were named among the top 100 critical access hospitals in the country by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

Mercy critical access hospitals in Berryville, Booneville, Paris and Waldron are four of the seven Arkansas hospitals named to the list. The recognition is based on the Chartis Rural Hospital Strength Index, which assesses quality, outcomes, patient perspective and cost.

“During an era of profound uncertainty for rural health care, the Top 100 rural hospitals continue to provide a unique lens through which we can identify innovation and inspiration for how to deliver high-quality care to increasingly vulnerable populations,” said Michael Topchik, national leader for The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

Critical access hospitals are defined as medical centers that provide services to rural and often underserved communities. These small hospitals serve residents who otherwise would travel long distances for emergency care. Leaders of Mercy Arkansas’ critical access hospitals say being named to the Chartis list demonstrates co-workers’ dedication to service in small communities.

“Patients and their families can be sure they’re receiving a high level of care no matter the size of the community they live in,” said Juli Stec, Mercy’s vice president of patient services. “Consistently being named among the top critical access hospitals in the country shows that our co-workers are committed to providing exceptional care in each community we serve.”

“Only a small percentage of critical access hospitals are named to the Top 100 list. This is very gratifying for our co-workers, who show dedication for their patients every day,” said Darren Caldwell, administrator at Mercy Hospital Berryville. “Additionally, consistent support from the community we serve makes this recognition possible.”