West Virginia Hospital One of Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the Country

Jefferson Medical Center in Ranson has been designated one of the top 100 critical access hospitals in the country according to a new study.

The study compared factors such as outcomes, quality and cost in rural and critical access hospitals across the country. Just one West Virginia hospital came out as a top performer nationwide. Meanwhile 12 West Virginia Hospitals are doing so poorly that they are vulnerable for closure.

West Virginia has 25 rural and critical access hospitals. Critical access hospitals have a maximum of 25 beds and are located at least 35 miles away from another hospital. The idea behind them is to provide highly rural communities with emergency and primary medical care.

The study is an expansion on rural health research conducted by the firm iVantage Health Analytics. It was presented today at the National Rural Health Association’s annual conference.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.