The medical center is a 139 licensed bed hospital located in northeast Michigan on the shores of Lake Huron. More than 251 physicians and mid-level practitioners serve on the active staff in 44 different medical specialties. The hospital has a 24-hour emergency department and is accredited by the Joint Commission.
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated its ratings last week giving MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena a 5-out-of-5 star rating. This is the highest overall rating a hospital can receive under the Medicare program.
This was one of 13 hospitals in the state to receive this rating. The ratings are based on five categories with numerous levels of subcategories for each category. MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena was rated above national average in the categories of safety, effectiveness of care, efficiency of operations and patient survey.
Another category where MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena excelled was geriatrics. It was rated higher than the national average in caring for patients who are older. This category included evaluating the patient’s health, examining their history and assessing the risk of future problems.
On Tuesday, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena placed its emergency department on diversion status from 5:30p.m until 8:50 p.m. This allows emergency departments to transfer patients who have life-threatening conditions to other nearby hospitals when the emergency department reaches capacity.
This was the first time this has happened in the history of MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Thomas Thornton, vice president of medical affairs and trauma director for the hospital said it was a necessary step to make sure there is enough emergency space to treat everyone who comes in to the emergency department.
Thornton says it is also important to note that this was not a routine call and the hospital did not overbook. He said he would like to see the diversion status used less, but it is an excellent tool to have for emergencies.
MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena is a non-profit hospital that is funded by the federal government and private insurance companies. It is a Federal Tort Claims Act Deemed Facility. This means the hospital cannot be sued by patients or their families for malpractice claims.
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