KSJD Local Newscast - January 3, 2025

Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez has earned high ratings from its patients. The CEO for Southwest Health System, Joe Theine, told the Montezuma County commissioners Monday that the hospital was recently recognized by the National Rural Health Association because it drew a five-star rating for inpatient satisfaction. The ratings are compiled from data collected through a standardized survey given nationwide called the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey. It asks patients who stay overnight in hospitals whether they would recommend the facility to family or friends. Southwest Memorial was one of 22 rural health-care facilities nationwide that submitted data resulting in a five-star rating. Theine told the commissioners that Southwest Memorial also ranked in the 90^th percentile for all hospitals in the United States based on the inpatient survey. He said, “I’m tremendously proud of the work that our caregivers are doing.” Theine’s report on the hospital was mostly positive, but he did voice concern about discussions about possible budgetary changes to Medicaid. That is a federally funded program administered by the state that provides health care for low-income individuals. Theine said 17 percent of Southwest Memorial’s income comes in through Medicaid. He said if those dollars decrease, “we would not be able to provide all the services we do today.”