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ACMC is a national leader in healthcare
healthcare to initiate breakthrough
improvements in the safety, quality
and affordability of healthcare for
Americans.
The data compiled compares
how often a patient received proper
treatment as outlined by procedures
and protocols. Data is also checked to
see what happens to a patient while
they are receiving care within the
facility.
“The data used in the scoring
process is unbiased—ACMC cannot
choose which data to report,”
Habowski said. “We don’t even
choose whether or not to participate
in the survey. The Leapfrog Group
pulls the data for all hospitals, so
the results of this survey are truly
independent.
“This score is not a reflection
of just one year,” he added. “It
comprises almost three years
of outcomes-based information
that shows a consistent pattern
of patient safety provided by our
caregivers.
“Each day, we focus on how
we can improve the safety of our
patients and the care they receive,”
Habowski said. “The recognition
from these third-party companies
is validation that our focus is
spot-on. It also aligns with our
goal of keeping healthcare local so
patients and their families do not
have to travel out of town for quality,
safe care. They can—and will—find
nationally recognized, top-level care
right here at ACMC.”
ACMC 31st in the nation
ACMC ranks among the safest
hospitals in the nation. It ranks 31st
on the newly released 2014 to 2015
100 SafeCare Hospitals® list compiled
by The SafeCare Group. The
list ranks the best overall
performance among 3,500 acute
care, nonfederal hospitals. This
distinction uniquely identifies
the country’s best healthcare
institutions based on robust,
evidence-based criteria of the
Affordable Care Act.
“This is a great honor to be named
among the top 100—the top 50, in
fact—hospitals in the country by The
SafeCare Group,” said Habowski.
“It confirms what we’ve known for
a long time: You don’t have to leave
the county for great healthcare. The
SafeCare Group ranked ACMC 31st
in the nation after reviewing publicly
available data on patient safety, as
well as patient satisfaction. This
should reassure our patients and their
families that ACMC is the hospital to
choose in Ashtabula County.”
Health Center last March brought
ACMC primary care, physical
therapy, radiology/mammography
and lab services to Conneaut. The
expansion of the Jefferson Family
Health Center also brought physical
therapy and radiology, as well
as additional lab services, to the
Jefferson area. ACMC Express Care
opened in Ashtabula, Conneaut and
Jefferson. All of these investments
in healthcare created jobs and
enhanced ACMC’s commitment to
making quality care easily accessible.
Myth busters
“Our goal is to be the best community
hospital and to keep you close
to home for the care you need,”
Habowski said. “There is a myth that
you have to leave Ashtabula County
to receive high-quality, advanced
care. We’re disproving that myth
with every patient we see. Patients
can receive 90 percent of the care
they need right at ACMC.”
In fact, that myth costs the
local economy almost $112 million
every year. “We know that $56
million leaves Ashtabula County
every year when patients who live
here are admitted to hospitals in
Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga and Erie
counties,” Habowski said. “Doubling
that to $112 million by including
outpatient visits and procedures is
probably a conservative estimate.”
Imagine the impact of recapturing
75 percent of that $112 million.
“Retaining $84 million is a win-
win-win for Ashtabula County,” said
Habowski. “ACMC wins by being able
to invest more in technology, services,
infrastructure and hiring caregivers.
Patients win because they will have
even greater access to healthcare
providers and services. And our local
communities win, because those
millions of dollars will go back into
taxes for improving our cities and
schools and into our local businesses.”
The business of care
Most people don’t like to think of a
hospital or healthcare system as a
business, but that’s exactly what it
is. It’s the business of taking care of
people and, through those actions,
keeping the local economy healthy.
No organization can stand
alone without the support of its
community. When you choose ACMC
for your healthcare, you’re doing
more than receiving great care.
You’re also supporting the health and
well-being of the entire county.
Improving Ashtabula County’s economy
ACMC Pulse •
www.acmchealth.org5