Washington Regional’s Heart Failure Readmission Rate Among Best in Country
Fayetteville, Ark. — Washington Regional Medical Center has been recognized by
Becker’s Hospital Review as having one of the country’s lowest hospital readmission rates for patients with heart failure. Washington Regional’s heart failure readmission rate is among the ten lowest nationwide. The findings come from data published in February by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and includes readmissions recorded between July 2020 and June 2023.
Readmission rates are an important measure of quality, and lower readmission rates indicate high quality care and lower costs for patients. In addition to low readmission rates among patients with heart failure,
Becker’s Hospital Review reported in August 2024 that CMS data showed Washington Regional Medical Center has one of the lowest overall hospital readmission rates in the entire country and the best acute hospital readmission rate in Arkansas.
“Washington Regional is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care, and this latest CMS data demonstrates that commitment,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Shackelford. “The cardiovascular experts at
Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute work collaboratively to provide world class cardiovascular care right here in Northwest Arkansas.”
“Nationally, heart failure hospital readmissions account for up to 26.9% of total readmissions, and heart failure has the highest 30-day readmission rate among all surgical and medical conditions. This latest achievement demonstrates Walker Heart Institute’s commitment to patients with heart failure, both in the hospital and after they go home, to help them navigate the process of living with a chronic condition while managing symptoms, medications and lifestyle adjustments,” said Washington Regional Chief Medical Officer David Ratcliff, MD.
Washington Regional has reduced readmission rates and improved outcomes for patients with heart failure by:
- Educating patients, their families and caregivers about their condition and treatment plan
- Utilizing case managers who work closely with every patient to plan next steps and coordinate care at discharge
- Providing a smooth transition of care to patients’ primary care and specialty care providers to ensure timely follow up visits
- Partnering with the UAMS/Washington Regional Internal Medicine Residency Program’s Transitions of Care Clinic to provide care for patients in the weeks after they leave the hospital
In addition to being recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review, Washington Regional is also designated by
U.S. News & World Report as a High Performing Hospital for heart failure for 2024-2025.