For the seventh consecutive year, Spencer Hospital has been recognized as one of the Top 100 rural and community hospitals in the United States.

Spencer Hospital is the only mid-sized Iowa hospital to have earned this distinction every year it has been awarded. Additionally, Spencer Hospital is being recognized as one of the Top 20 Rural & Community Hospitals in America.

"Each day our healthcare team is committed to achieving the very best outcomes for our patients and community," said Bill Bumgarner, Spencer Hospital president, in a news release. "The recognition is appreciated, but even more valued is the dedication of our healthcare team, medical staff, volunteers and other members of our local healthcare community. They perform the work and extend the caring that has resulted in achieving this level of excellence."

The nation's Top 100 mid-sized rural hospitals are recognized annually by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. Regarded as one of the industry's respected designations of performance excellence for mid-sized hospitals, the annual Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals award is based upon the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX(r) developed by iVantage Health Analytics. The Top 20 designation is offered by the National Rural Health Association based on the iVantage analysis.

"Being among such a small group of mid-sized hospitals nationally to perform at this high level year-over-year clearly shows that patients throughout northwest Iowa can place their trust in Spencer Hospital," said Bumgarner.

iVantage identifies top performing hospitals by aggregating hospital-specific data for over 36 service and outcome variables across eight pillars of performance, resulting in an overall hospital strength index. The majority of data used in the study is derived from public sources. Areas in which top hospitals particularly distinguish themselves include quality and outcomes; patient satisfaction; costs and charges; market share; and financial stability.

"By earning special national recognition for seven consecutive years, it demonstrates the consistency of commitment and performance by Spencer Hospital's healthcare team," Bumgarner said.