-
McLeod Regional Medical Center as “Best Regional Hospital for Equitable Access”
June 06, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristie Gibbs
krgibbs@mcleodhealth.org
843-777-2590
U.S. News & World Report Recognizes McLeod Regional Medical Center as “Best Regional Hospital for Equitable Access”
McLeod Regional Medical Center is among 53 regional hospitals recognized
for providing high-quality care to underserved populations.
(June 5, 2024) - McLeod Regional Medical Center has been recognized for its success as a high performing hospital providing excellent care to patients in underserved communities. The list of “Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access” was revealed today at an exclusive event, “The State of Equity in America,” held by U.S. News & World Report.
“McLeod Regional Medical Center is pleased to receive this recognition from U.S. News & World Report,” said Will McLeod, CEO of McLeod Regional Medical Center. “Access to excellent healthcare can be challenging for patients in underserved communities. The mission of McLeod Health is to improve the overall health and well-being of the people we serve. We take that mission seriously and are committed to providing exceptional service and clinical excellence to all who entrust us with their care. It is a privilege to improve the health of our communities.”
U.S. News identified 53 hospitals that received a Best Regional Hospital designation
in 2023 and met at least two of the following criteria: 1) had 40% or more of its patients from a community of greater socioeconomic deprivation (according to the Area Deprivation Index), 2) served 20% or more racial/ethnic minority patients or was in the highest tier in at least 1 of 5 measures of racial and ethnic patient representation and 3) served 20% or more Medicaid patients or was in the highest tier in the measure of low-income patient representation.
“The Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access demonstrate by their example that a hospital can both excel in overall quality of care and also provide a substantial amount of that exceptional care to historically underserved communities,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “Recognizing community hospitals that lead in this respect is a modest but necessary step toward ensuring everyone in the U.S. has access to high-quality medical care.”
“U.S. News' recognition of the Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access highlights the important and necessary work hospitals are doing to improve care for underserved communities,” said Tavia Binger, senior health data analyst at U.S. News.
“This positive representation of community hospitals' dedication to equitable access across 26 states is promising. However, this recognition also underscores the need for continued focus on prioritizing health care among vulnerable populations who may face numerous social and economic challenges in receiving care.”
A hospital that has earned a “Best” designation may be a good option for people, in
consultation with their medical provider, to consider.
###
About McLeod Regional Medical Center
The flagship hospital of the McLeod Health organization is McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, South Carolina. This 517-bed regional referral tertiary care center serves patients and families living in the northeastern region of South Carolina. The medical center includes an accredited Cancer Center, a Stereotactic Radiosurgery program, three dedicated open heart surgery suites and two vascular hybrid ORs within the Heart & Vascular Institute as well as a dedicated Neuro-interventional Biplane X-ray Suite for thrombectomy procedures and endovascular coiling. The McLeod Centers of Excellence include Heart and Vascular, Cancer, Surgery, Orthopedics, Neurosciences, and Women’s and Children’s in addition to Emergency and Trauma Services, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Services, and Hospice and Home Health Services, which all deliver an unmatched level of care and experience to people in the region. One of only five state-designated regional perinatal centers, McLeod Regional Medical Center also offers the region's only Children's Hospital which includes a 48-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and 10-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. In addition, the McLeod Hospice House, a 24-bed inpatient facility, is located on the campus. A new McLeod Regional Emergency Department and Chest Pain Center opened in June 2021. The McLeod Emergency Department is the area’s only Level II Trauma Center.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower
consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed
decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A
multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars,
News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings,
independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events.
More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and
guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.Contact:Kristie Gibbskrgibbs@mcleodhealth.org, 843-777-2590