Submitted by PeaceHealth
PeaceHealth United General Medical Center has been recognized by the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) with a Rural Quality Everyday Extraordinary Award.
The awards, given to just two hospitals in the state this year, recognize rural hospitals that demonstrate measurable improvements in quality and patient safety while developing approaches that can be replicated by other hospitals across the state. Marco Brito, United General director of clinical services, accepted the award at WSHA’s Rural Hospital Leadership Conference in Chelan on June 28.
United General earned recognition for its comprehensive program to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). By combining specific, safety-focused practices with frontline-led quality improvement efforts, the team achieved outstanding results, including reducing catheter days, eliminating CAUTI cases, improving adherence to prevention practices and strengthening staff engagement and accountability.
“This honor reflects the dedication and teamwork of our caregivers, clinicians and physicians,” Brito said. “By focusing on evidence-based practices and empowering frontline teams to identify opportunities for improvement, we’ve created a safer environment for our patients and strengthened our culture of quality.”
The second award went to Coupeville-based WhidbeyHealth.
“These programs show how rural hospitals are finding innovative ways to improve care and deliver better outcomes for patients,” Darcy Jaffe, WSHA senior vice president of clinical excellence, said in a statement. “Both organizations achieved measurable results that can serve as models for hospitals across Washington.”
