NATCHEZ — Natchez Community Hospital’s exemplary performance using evidence-based clinical processes to improve care for certain conditions earned the hospital Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.

“We understand that what matters most to patients at Natchez Community Hospital is safe, effective care,” NCH CEO Eric Robinson said. “That’s why we have made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes.”

The clinical processes focus on care for heart attack, pneumonia, surgery, children’s asthma, stroke and venous thromboembolism, as well as inpatient psychiatric services. New this year is a category for immunization for pneumonia and influenza.

Natchez Community Hospital is one of 1,099 hospitals in the U.S. and one of 16 in Mississippi earning the distinction for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance.

NCH has joined seven hospitals in Mississippi and 181 other hospitals in the nation that have received this distinction three years in a row.

Community Hospital was recognized for its achievement on the following measure sets: heart attack, pneumonia and surgical care. The ratings are based on an aggregation of accountability measure data reported to The Joint Commission during 2012.

“Natchez Community Hospital and all the Top Performer hospitals have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to quality improvement, and they should be proud of their achievement,” Mark R. Chassin, president and chief executive officer of The Joint Commission, said. “We have much to celebrate this year. Nearly half of our accredited hospitals have attained or nearly attained the Top Performer distinction. This truly shows that we are approaching a tipping point in hospital quality performance that will directly contribute to better health outcomes for patients.”