Saint Joseph Health Receives Kentucky Hospital Association Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 12, 2026) – Saint Joseph Health and Continuing Care Hospital received recognition at the 2026 Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) Quality Awards on Wednesday, March 25.

Saint Joseph Health was recognized in the Hospital System category for its Operational Excellence Program. This program addresses inefficiencies, reduces unnecessary expenses, and improves quality and patient safety. The program combines front-line engagement, active executive leadership, and community feedback to drive sustainable, system-wide improvement.

“Saint Joseph Health is honored to receive this recognition from the Kentucky Hospital Association,” said Matt Grimshaw, MBA, President, Saint Joseph Health. “We are incredibly grateful for the caregivers across the ministry who have helped to identify and implement changes to reduce waste, improve systems and improve the quality of our care. These changes help us become more efficient and continue our mission of providing high-quality, patient-centered care.”

Continuing Care Hospital was recognized in the Long-Term Acute Care Hospital category. The hospital was recognized for a three-pronged strategy to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). The initiative included reducing device days through daily necessity reviews, enhancing CHG bathing protocols, and introducing a peripheral blood culture diversion device to improve diagnostic accuracy. These efforts demonstrated that sustained CLABSI reduction is achievable even in high-acuity settings.

“This recognition highlights the dedication of our caregivers in ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients, ” said Bob Desotelle, President, Continuing Care Hospital. “We are proud to be making a meaningful impact on patient care and safety and are incredibly honored to receive our thirteenth Quality Award from the Kentucky Hospital Association.”

The KHA Quality Awards recognize hospital leadership and ingenuity in maintaining quality and safety and dedication to patient care. This annual award aims to raise awareness of the necessity for a comprehensive organizational commitment to consistently delivering exceptional quality, reliability, and patient-centered care. Additionally, it honors successful initiatives aimed at fostering improvements and advancements in the quality of care provided.

About Saint Joseph Health

Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 15 cities, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services to build a healthier future for all. Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Continuing Care Hospital

Continuing Care Hospital is a 53-bed, specialty hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, located within Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East. Established in 2002, the facility is licensed as a general acute care hospital that serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky, and addresses the unique and complicated physical, emotional, spiritual, nursing and rehabilitation needs of long-term patients.

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