OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital Recognized in Top 100 Hospitals by Premier Inc.

OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital in Athens has been acknowledged as one of the nation's top 100 hospitals by Premier Inc., as highlighted in Modern Healthcare. This prestigious recognition is part of a longstanding program that evaluates U.S. hospitals based on comprehensive, objective assessments using public data over the last 30 years.

The recognition process for the top hospital program operates without application or promotional fees, serving as a valuable benchmarking tool for hospital leaders. This allows institutions to measure performance and identify opportunities to enhance patient care, operational efficiency, and community value.

LeeAnn Lucas-Helber, president of O’Bleness Hospital, remarked that the accolade underscores their dedication to delivering superior care and making continuous progress. The hospital also received the Everest Award, signifying their remarkable achievements in consistent improvements over five years in key areas such as patient care, operations, and financial outcomes.

Lucas-Helber stressed their ongoing commitment to improving patient experiences while ensuring safe and reliable care. Premier's report suggested that aligning other hospitals to these standards could lead to notable enhancements in patient outcomes and Medicare cost reductions. David Zito, president of performance services at Premier, acknowledged that the 100 Top Hospitals program highlights institutions excelling in quality care and operational efficiency.

This exhaustive evaluation includes a diverse range of short-term, acute care, non-federal U.S. hospitals based on publicly accessible data spanning from 2019 to 2024, such as Medicare cost reports and CMS data. OhioHealth, a non-profit healthcare network affiliated with the United Methodist Church, operates 16 hospitals and over 200 ambulatory sites throughout a broad region.