Bluffton Hospital was recognized by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) as a top 20 hospital for patient satisfaction. Chris Keller, president of Bluffton Hospital and Nicki Keuneke, director of operations recently received the award at the annual Critical Access Hospital Conference.

“We are so proud to be ranked highly in these measures and to receive this award,” said Chris Keller, president of Bluffton Hospital.

“Our associates, physicians and volunteers work hard every day to ensure each patient has a positive experience. I am thrilled that their effort is being recognized through this prestigious award.”

The rankings for this recognition have been designated by the Hospital Strength INDEXTM, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of hospital performance. In partnership with NRHA, iVantage Health Analytics has developed a data-driven program designed to identify excellence across a broad spectrum of indicators relevant to hospital performance and patient care.

The Hospital Strength INDEXTM model aggregates data for 70 indicators organized into eight performance categories.

Bluffton Hospital is a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, which provides a total continuum of care to more than 100,000 households in an eight-county area.