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Labette Health has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that Labette Health is in the top 1% of 4,728 U.S. hospitals offering emergency care services.

“We are honored to receive this award and to be named in the top 1% in the nation as it is a testament to our commitment to the communities in which we serve,” said Becky Shipley, Emergency Department Manager. “We understand how important it is to have a 24-Hour Emergency Department with a team who provides high-quality care for life’s unexpected emergencies.”

Each year, there are more than 130 million emergency room visits in the U.S. Emergency departments continue to be an essential part of the healthcare system as they provide fast, life-or-limb saving care to millions each year. Unlike other hospital departments that interact with the same patient and families for an extended period, ER staff typically has one patient encounter, often when anxiety and fear is at its peak.

“Emergency departments can be very stressful environments, particularly for the elderly or a mother with a sick or injured child,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “Women make or influence 94% of all healthcare decisions for themselves and others. They want to be confident that they know which emergency departments in their communities will take care of their loved ones quickly and with the best possible care. Knowing the Women’s Choice Award has already placed their seal of excellence on a hospital is immediate validation that they have made the right decision, easing their concern during a very stressful time.”

The methodology for America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care award is unique in that it combines Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences. The award recognizes excellence in emergency care based on several process of care measures focused on time patients spent in the emergency department, including: Total time spent in the ED and Percent of Emergency Patients who left without being seen.

Criteria for selecting Labette Health as one of the Best Hospitals also included the percentage of patients who came to the emergency department with stroke symptoms who received brain scan results within 45 minutes of arrival. Also included this year were hospitals that performed well in responding to patients showing symptoms of severe sepsis, a very dangerous condition. The awarded hospitals represent those with emergency departments with average measure times in the highest 25th to 50th percentile in the country. Additional points were provided for the various trauma center levels.

The award is especially significant given that long waits and high crowding can negatively impact patient outcomes, including patients leaving without receiving medical treatment, longer overall length of hospital stay and an increase in mortality rates.

Labette Health not only performed well clinically with regard to emergency care measures, but they also have a high recommendation rating, which is very important to women when it comes to health-related decisions” says Passi.

About Labette Health

Labette Health, serving a six-county area since 1961, is a 99-bed licensed, hospital that provides acute, intensive and inpatient rehabilitation services. Labette Health serves southeast Kansas with clinics in Altamont, Chanute, Cherryvale, Chetopa, Coffeyville, Erie, Independence, Oswego, Parsons, Pittsburg and St. Paul, including an emergency department in Parsons and Independence and four express care locations - Parsons, Chanute, Independence and Oswego. Labette Health, renowned for its comprehensive healthcare services, state-of-the-art technology and skilled medical staff, is nationally recognized as a High Performing Hospital for Hip Fracture and Knee Replacement by U.S. News & World Report, by Blue Cross as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee & Hip Replacement and Maternity Care and by Chartis Center for Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital. For more information, visit labettehealth.com or facebook.com/LabetteHealth.

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S CHOICE AWARD®

The Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a trusted referral source and coveted credential that identifies the nation’s best hospitals based on robust criteria that includes relevant clinical performance, patient satisfaction and appropriate accreditations. The Best Hospitals demonstrate exceptional ratings, providing the highest level of care and commitment to their patients’ health and well-being. The Women's Choice Award is the only designation that takes into consideration the preferences of women when selecting a hospital. Visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/ to learn more.