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Hospital earns national award
Published 12:00pm Friday, June 12, 2009Lake Region Healthcare is the recipient of a national award recognizing satisfaction among patients.
The Outstanding Patient Experience Award is presented by HealthGrades, an independent ratings organization reporting on physicians, hospitals and nursing homes across the country. Using the results of a patient survey from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HealthGrades ranked qualifying hospitals in terms of patient experience. Lake Region Healthcare made it into the top 15 percent of the nearly 4,000 hospitals surveyed.
“It’s really important for us because ultimately we’re here to provide the best care we can for our patients and for our community,” said Lake Region CEO Larry Schulz.
The survey was administered to a random sample of hospital patients discharged between July 2007 and June 2008. The questions asked patients about communication from doctors and nurses, responsiveness of hospital staff, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, medication information and post-discharge care instructions.
Healthcare providers at Lake Region and elsewhere have put an increased focus on assisting patients with their medications, Schulz said. With some patients taking multiple medications each, providers are working to help people manage their prescriptions and understand the side effects, he said.
It’s one of several ways Lake Region staff are working to improve patient care.
“We’re always looking at how we can do things better,” Schulz said.
Lake Region Healthcare was one of nine Minnesota hospitals receiving the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. Other area hospitals named include St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, and St. Cloud Hospital.
