Ozarks Healthcare is among a select group of U.S. hospitals to achieve a zero rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), according to recent data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
A total of 508 hospitals nationwide earned a zero CAUTI rate based on data collected from July 2024 through June 2025. The dataset, updated May 13, uses infection measures developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and collected through the National Healthcare Safety Network.
The achievement was recently highlighted in a report by Becker’s Hospital Review. Ozarks Healthcare was one of only 10 hospitals in Missouri to receive the recognition, and the only facility in south-central Missouri to earn a zero CAUTI rate during the reporting period. The closest Missouri hospital recognized on the list is more than 150 miles away, while the nearest Arkansas hospital is more than 170 driving miles from West Plains.
"Our teams work diligently every day to provide safe, high-quality care for every patient we serve," said Terence Farrell, Ozarks Healthcare president and CEO. "Being recognized among hospitals nationwide with a zero CAUTI rate reflects the dedication of our coworkers and providers to maintaining the highest standards in patient safety and infection prevention."
According to CMS, the Healthcare Associated Infections-Hospital database measures how often patients contract certain infections during medical treatment in acute care hospitals. The CDC calculates a standardized infection ratio using several factors, including care location, patient age, hospital size, existing infections and patient health conditions.
