Columbia County Health System Receives Gold-Level Quality Excellence Award

DAYTON — Columbia County Health System received the Gold-level Rural Hospital Achievement of Quality Excellence from the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) for its work to improve patient safety and quality of care. The award was presented at the WSHA Rural Hospital Leadership Conference in Chelan on June 28, 2026.

Gold is the highest achievement, and the WSHA recognized CCHS at this level after evaluating the hospital’s achievements in fall prevention, sepsis care, and opioid harm prevention.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of employees throughout our health system,” said Amy Crickmer, PhD, RN, Director of Quality. “Quality improvement is not a single project or the responsibility of one department. It is part of the work our team does every day to provide safe, reliable care for our friends, neighbors, coworkers and loved ones.”

The Rural Hospital Achievement of Quality Excellence is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate a strong commitment to health care.

Columbia County Health System is a public hospital district serving Dayton, Waitsburg, Starbuck, and surrounding communities in southeastern Washington. The health system includes Dayton General Hospital, Columbia Family Clinic, Waitsburg Clinic, Columbia Family Dental Clinic, Rivers Walk Assisted Living, and a range of specialty services, including outpatient, rehabilitation, and behavioral health. As a rural critical access health system, CCHS is committed to providing trusted, high-quality care for the communities it serves.

For more information about CCHS go to https://cchd-wa.org.