Brookings Health System Named One of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care for Second Consecutive Year

  • April 15, 2015

Brookings Health System was recently recognized by Women Certified, Inc. as being one of the best hospitals for emergency care. This is the second consecutive year the health system has received the honor which is based on core measures for emergency care such as how quickly patients are seen and how much time they spend in the ER. Pictured are members of the emergency department team. From left: RN Sean Cihak, RN Louise Coull, Medical Surgical and Emergency Department Director Karen Weber, Physician Assist
Brookings Health System was recently recognized by Women Certified, Inc. as being one of the best hospitals for emergency care. This is the second consecutive year the health system has received the honor which is based on core measures for emergency care such as how quickly patients are seen and how much time they spend in the ER. Pictured are members of the emergency department team. From left: RN Sean Cihak, RN Louise Coull, Medical Surgical and Emergency Department Director Karen Weber, Physician Assistant Dave Fossum, RN Judy Bergeland, RN Sue Bjordal, Emergency Department Supervisor Laura Willert, and Physician Assistant Tara Heinze.

Brookings Health System’s hospital has been named by WomenCertified, Inc, home of the Women’s Choice Award, for the second consecutive year as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care.

Selection is based on the seven core measures for emergency care as rated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. This includes how quickly patients are seen by a care provider and how much time they spend in the emergency room.

“Our emergency department typically sees patients and responds to their needs more quickly than the South Dakota or national averages,” said Chief Nursing Office Tammy Hillestad. “Receiving this honor demonstrates our staff strives to provide high quality care to patients.”

The Women’s Choice Award is a seal reserved for hospitals across America who partner with WomenCertified in its mission to empower women to make smart health care choices. The distinction is the only award that identifies the country’s best health care institutions based on robust criteria that consider female patient satisfaction, clinical excellence, and what women say they want from a hospital, including quality physician communications, responsiveness of nurses and support staff, cleanliness and trusted referrals from other women.

Brookings Health System’s emergency department was remodeled in 2011 and expanded to 11 exam and treatment rooms, including dedicated areas for trauma, orthopedic, obstetric, pediatric and psychiatric patients. The emergency room also incorporates state-of-the-art technology for enhanced security measures and a sophisticated internal communication system. To learn more, please visit www.brookingshealth.org/Emergency.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic, Arlington Medical Center, White Medical Clinic and Volga Medical Clinic. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, surgical and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.