SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― Regional West’s Emergency Department (ED) was recently recognized as a winner of the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) 2024 Quest for Excellence award at the NHA annual convention in LaVista.

Since 2004, the NHA has partnered with the State of Nebraska; the Nebraska Quality Innovation Network (QIO); COPIC; the Nebraska Health and Human Services Office of Rural Health; and the Nebraska Association for Healthcare Quality, Risk and Safety to recognize Nebraska healthcare facilities’ outstanding work in hospital quality and performance improvement. The group selects two Nebraska hospitals and one rural health clinic each year to highlight their achievements in improving healthcare delivery in the areas of quality, performance, and patient safety.

This year, Regional West’s ED was selected as the winner of the Non-Critical Access Hospital category for their ‘ED Olympics’ initiative. Through the ED Olympics, the group improved patient satisfaction, employee culture, quality measures, and overall care. The ED now ranks above national averages and internal benchmarks in almost 20 quality components from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and organizational standards.

“The Quest for Excellence award is a high honor that shows the incredible work Regional West’s ED has done over the past year,” said Regional West CEO Mel McNea. “We’re proud of everything the team has done and continues to do to make a great patient experience.”

“For Regional West to be recognized for this award when competing against the largest hospitals in the state is a huge honor,” said Alice Fillingham, FNP-C, MSN, RN, CEN, the ED’s clinical coordinator. “This award is a direct reflection of the commitment to improving the quality of patient care in the Emergency Department. Although this project highlighted the extraordinary efforts of the ED physicians, nurses, and employees, it is really a glimpse of the great work going on across the entire organization.”

Executive Director of Emergency Services Marisa Nicol, RN, added that the award represents a steadfast commitment to the area Regional West serves.

“To win the Quest for Excellence is an incredible honor. It really highlights the work we have done in the ED over the last year. I want to extend special thanks to Allice Fillingham for her innovation and dedication to the ED,” she said. “Our team has elevated themselves and their practice so that patients of Scotts Bluff County and the entire panhandle receive excellent care in our department. This award is for them.”

About Regional West

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a regional referral center celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West features an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics. Regional West offers comprehensive and innovative healthcare services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.