Business news in brief

Northwest Health found fitness friendly

Northwest Health System was named a gold-level recipient of the American Hearth Association’s Fit-Friendly Worksites recognition program. The system met at least nine of the association’s criteria, including providing healthy alternatives on cafeteria and patient menus, making hospital gyms available to employees and running health improvement contests. Dan McKay, chief executive officer, said the program is an important business and human-resource investment because studies suggest that implementing work-site physical activity programs and promoting a culture of activity increases productivity and reduces absenteeism, turnover and health-care costs.

Infections low, Harrison hospital saluted

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison was presented an award at the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care Quality Conference for reduction in catheter-acquired urinary-tract infections. Since it joined the federal Partnership for Patients initiative in 2011, the hospital has maintained the low rate of 0.10 infections per 1,000 patient days. Nationally, nearly 2 million patients a year developed health-care-associated infections, contributing to 99,000 deaths and $28 billion to $33 billion in health-care costs. The partnership is intended to save 60,000 lives over three years. Catheter-related infections are the most common type in U.S. hospitals, accounting for 35 percent of all such infections.

Pet hospital gains Cat-Friendly status

All Pets Animal Hospital, 209 N. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville, has been granted accreditation as a Cat-Friendly Practice by the American Association of Feline Practitioners because of its compliance with more than 100 specific standards in serving the needs of cats and their owners.

Arvest banks ranked tops in 2 regions

Arvest banks ranked the highest in customer satisfaction in two regions of the country, according to the J.D.

Power and Associates 2013 Retail Banking Satisfaction Survey.

Arvest banks got the highest score in the six-state Southwest region and in the five-state South-Central region, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

The scores are based on surveys from 51,000 banking customers from around the country measuring satisfaction in six areas: account information, channel activities, facilities, fees, problem resolution and product offerings.

This is the fourth year in a row that Arvest got the highest score in the Southwest region, which includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma and Utah. It’s the third time in the last four years Arvest topped the list in the South-Central region, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Bentonville-based Arvest Bank operates more than 260 branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas.

Brown’s Collision named Shop of Year

Brown’s Collision Center, 1450 S.E. J St. in Bentonville, was recently named the 2012 Eastern Division Shop of the Year by Farmer’s Insurance. According to a press release from the business, Brown’s was selected from 663 collision centers in 23 states for the award. Criteria includes estimating skills, volume, repair quality, customer service and community involvement.

Brown’s Collision Center has been in business since 1954. The owners are Keith and Elizabeth Brown.

Hiatt, Olsen take over dental practice

Dr. Jim Hiatt and Dr. Chris Olsen have taken over the dental practice of Dr. Bryan Whitaker. The practice will remain at on the campus of Northwest Medical Center at 601 West Maple Street, Suite 208, in Springdale. The phone number, (479) 750-0110, also remains unchanged.

The practice provides endodontic services. Hiatt and Olsen formerly practiced in Fort Smith.

Business, Pages 66 on 04/28/2013

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