Reedsburg Area Medical Center participated in the Wisconsin Hospital Association’s Advocacy Day

Reedsburg Area Medical Center (RAMC) participated in the Wisconsin Hospital Association’s (WHA) Advocacy Day on February 25 in Madison. The day is held annually to bring together hospital leaders from across the state to meet with legislators and discuss the future of health care in Wisconsin.

As part of the day’s activities, RAMC presented Improving Patient Safety Through Reduction of Blood Culture Contamination in the State Capitol Rotunda, which earned the 2026 Excellence in Health Care Quality & Patient Safety Award in the Critical Access Hospital category. RAMC team members shared how the project brought together nursing, laboratory, infection prevention, and leadership teams to standardize blood culture collection practices. By implementing evidence-based strategies and strengthening staff education, the team reduced contamination rates, which improved diagnostic accuracy and overall patient safety.

Advocacy Day also provided an opportunity for RAMC representatives to connect directly with legislators and hospital leaders to discuss issues impacting rural health care and to highlight the essential role Critical Access Hospitals play in delivering high-quality care close to home.

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