Clay County Medical Center: Honored as the 2023 Health Quality Innovator of the Year

CLAY CENTER, Kan. – The Clay County Medical Center (CCMC) has received a fantastic honor as the Health Quality Innovator of the Year. This award is given by Health Quality Innovators (HQI) each year, celebrating groups that enhance healthcare quality and outcomes.

CCMC earned a spot as a runner-up in the Population Health category. This recognition highlights their success in improving patient care through a program called Transitional Care Management (TCM).

The TCM program began in October 2023. It aims to improve follow-up care within seven days of a patient’s discharge from the hospital. This time frame can be tricky, as many patients face challenges when returning home after inpatient care.

The results so far have been impressive. The follow-up rate after discharge started at 86.96% and has jumped to 97.56%. CCMC continues to work toward achieving a perfect 100% follow-up rate.

To tackle the hurdles patients face, CCMC’s team focuses on areas such as understanding medication, keeping appointments, and communicating with primary care providers. They’ve introduced helpful strategies, including follow-up phone calls, medication checks, and enhanced coordination of care.

“We are incredibly proud of the strides our team has made with the TCM program. Being recognized as a Health Quality Innovator of the Year reflects our commitment to providing high-quality care and ensuring our patients receive the support they need.”

The top winner in the population health category was Sentara Health. Their collaboration with The Union Mission in Norfolk, Virginia, has greatly improved health outcomes for homeless individuals.