Mackinac Straits Hospital Earns Award of Excellence for Second Consecutive Year

Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace has earned a 2005 Governor's Award of Excellence for Improving Care, reported Michigan's Health Care Improvement Organization (MPRO).

The award is given to hospitals that are actively working toward quality improvement in delivery and safety of patient care, in the areas of pneumonia and acute myocardial infarction

(heart failure). The hospital received its award Tuesday, October 3.

The hospital was eligible for the award as a critical access hospital, said Tamie Hartwig, director of the emergency department and acute care at Mackinac Straits. A critical access hospital is a rural hospital with 25 or fewer inpatient beds. Mackinac Straits has 15 inpatient beds.

"We are always working to improve the quality of care within the hospital setting, to meet higher standards," Mrs. Hartwig said. "I'm proud of the staff for their dedication. Their hard work gives our patients the direct benefit of quality improvement."

The assessment of the hospital's patient care improvement efforts included studying records in some categories of emergency care, such as how quickly patients receive antibiotics or blood thinners after arrival, she explained.

Hospital CEO Rod Nelson noted that this is the third time in five years that either the Long Term Care or Acute Care Units have been recognized with the award.

"This is an acknowledgment of the efforts of our physicians and staff in St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, Naubinway, and Bois Blanc Island," Mr. Nelson said. "We are pleased to receive the Governor's Quality Care Award and proud to serve our residents and visitors of the Straits area."