Deborah Heart and Lung Center has been nationally ranked among the top five percent hospitals for outpatient satisfaction. Deborah’s 2008 fourth quarter outpatient satisfaction ratings increased from the 92nd to 95th percentile, with more than 90 percent of Deborah’s patients ranking the Center as the “best possible hospital.”

“This is an impressive statistic,” said Deborah President and CEO John R. Ernst. “Deborah has had a long-standing tradition of quality and patient satisfaction. As surveying techniques and tracking models have improved over the years, it is terrific to have hard numbers to back the intuitive sense from our patients that they are very happy here. To be ranked among the top five percent of all hospitals in the country is a stellar achievement for us and underscores the high regard we are held in by our patients.”

The survey, administered by Healthstream Research, also highlights other quality indicators at the hospital, including seven of Deborah’s treatment areas ranking over 90 percent for patient satisfaction; all hospital areas rating extremely high by patients for their likelihood to recommend Deborah to others; and as well patient care staff, physicians and staff to patient communication all also received high marks. Deborah’s outpatient survey follows the format adopted by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), a federally-mandated survey for inpatient satisfaction tracking.

“We at Deborah believe in going one step further than what the federal government mandates,” added Ernst. “Not only do we want to track our inpatient results as required by law, we also want to track our outpatient results, to make sure our patients are getting the most out of each and every visit. Learning how satisfied our patients are with their ‘Deborah experience’ reenergizes our staff to continue on their path of excellence.”