Lafayette Regional Health Center has been recognized as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care by the Women’s Choice Award.

This award signifies that Lafayette Regional Health Center is in the top 11% of 4,675 U.S. hospitals offering emergency care services.

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 Emergency Department

• Percent of Emergency Patients Who Left Without Being Seen Criteria for selecting Lafayette Regional Health Center 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.

“Lafayette Regional Health Center 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.

Lafayette Regional Health Center is one of 508 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for emergency care in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.

“Lafayette Regional Health Center is proud of the efforts of its physicians and staff who have contributed to our hospital achieving this Quality designation for many years,” said Darrel Box, CEO. “Our results as a top Quality performer means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future.” About HCA Midwest Health

As the Kansas City area’s largest healthcare provider, HCA Midwest Health comprises seven hospitals and dozens of outpatient centers, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers, and other facilities and services to meet residents’ healthcare needs. HCA Midwest Health is one of the area’s largest employers, with more than 10,000 colleagues and a local economic impact of more than $1.4 billion annually.

About Lafayette Regional Health Center

Founded in 1950 as Lexington Memorial Hospital, this facility continues to be a pillar in the Lexington community. A Missouri Critical Access Hospital, the 25-bed, all-private room facility offers state-of-the-art imaging and testing services, in addition to a full range of general and laparoscopic surgeries and more than 20 medical specialties, including bone and joint care, pain management, primary care, wellness programs and rehabilitation services which include swing bed, among others.