Hillsboro Health and Midwest Medical Center in Illinois Named Among Nation’s Best Critical Access Hospitals for Patient Satisfaction

Two Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) member hospitals have been recognized by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) as leading Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the country.

Hillsboro Health in Hillsboro, Illinois, and Midwest Medical Center in Galena, Illinois, were named as  top ranking CAHs for their excellence in patient satisfaction. The 20 hospitals on this list succeeded in one of the key areas of performance – patient perspective, a rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across all 10 Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) domains.

The HCAHPS survey is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients' perspectives of hospital care. HCAHPS, also known as the CAHPS Hospital Survey, is a survey instrument and data collection methodology for measuring patients' perceptions of their hospital experience. HCAHPS provides a national standard for collecting and publicly reporting information about patient experience of care that allows valid comparisons to be made across hospitals locally, regionally and nationally.

“We are incredibly proud of these two ICAHN member hospitals for earning national recognition from the National Rural Health Association,” said Tracy Warner, executive director of ICAHN. “Their achievement reflects more than exceptional patient satisfaction – it demonstrates the strength, sustainability, and transformation taking place across rural healthcare in Illinois. Through collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to their communities, these hospitals exemplify the impact of delivering high-quality care close to homeand the vital role rural hospitals play in helping communities thrive.”

Hillsboro Health and Midwest Medical Center will be honored on the final day of the NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference this September in Kansas City, Mo. View a list of all 60 hospitals to be recognized.

About NRHA

NRHA is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health and wellbeing of rural Americans and provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, and research. NRHA’s membership is made up of unique individuals and organizations from across the country, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health.

About ICAHN

The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) advances the strength, sustainability, and transformation of Illinois’ rural hospitals through collaboration, advocacy, and shared solutions that improve performance and community health. Representing Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, ICAHN is a nationally recognized rural health leader supporting sustainable hospitals, strong communities, and a healthier rural Illinois—Better Together.