Community Hospital reports patient satisfaction, admissions up for year

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Statistics show that the number of inpatient days at Community Hospital of McCook increased in 2006-07, and a survey indicates that the care provided there ranks high with patients.

Jim Ulrich, hospital president and chief executive office, said Wednesday morning, following a hospital board of directors monthly meeting, that a FY 2007 annual statistical summary shows that the number of inpatient days increased by 8.68 percent. While it is unfortunate that people need hospitalization, Ulrich said, the increase indicates that Community Hospital is meeting the needs of more patients who require inpatient hospital care.

Ulrich said that outpatient services grew by 8 percent during the same time frame. "Overall, our services grew by 9 percent during the fiscal year," Ulrich said.

A survey conducted by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) indicates that Community Hospital ranks high with its patients in eight of nine areas.

Ulrich said 71 percent of Community Hospital patients "definitely would" recommend the facility to others, a number that is 12 percent higher than the national average.

Ulrich said that 68 percent of Community Hospital patients ranked the hospital 9 or 10 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Other areas of the survey in which Community Hospital ranked above the national average were responsiveness of staff, cleanliness, quiet environment and communication with patients.

In the area of discharge information for patients, Community Hospital ranked less than 1 percent below the national average. Ulrich said the hospital consistently works to improve/enhance areas of patient care, including the information it provides to patients upon discharge.

A total of 320 Community Hospital patients were randomly interviewed, Ulrich said.

Nationwide, the survey was completed by 85,000 respondents at 254 hospitals.

Risk management coordinator Kandace Ulrich, RN, reported to the board that medical error rates were very low for the quarter.

A total of 11,420 medications were dispensed in April, May and June, and these error rates were reported:

* April -- 1.8 errors in 1,000 medications dispensed.

* May -- 3.2 errors in 1,000 medications dispensed.

* June -- 1.56 errors in 1,000 medications dispensed.

Jim Ulrich explained that the vast majority of the errors were medications dispensed late. "The error reached the patient, but caused no harm," Ulrich said.

"None required increased monitoring."

In other action:

* Ulrich said the hospital directors, health foundation directors and the administrative council plan a special meeting Sept. 10, at 7 p.m., in the board room, to start the process of working on the hospital's master plan.

* Ulrich encouraged board members to go to a website called MyCareCounts.org, to complete a survey for an American Hospital Association movement to support federal funding for hospital service in rural America and in small communities.

Completed surveys, with additional comments, will be sent to senators and representatives, encouraging them not to cut healthcare funding.

* The hospital is working with Patricia Pejakovich, RN, BSN, MPA, CPHQ, of the Greeley Company, to prepare for Joint Commission reviews.

* The FY 2007 audit has been completed, Ulrich said, and a report will be presented to the board of directors in September. "It was a successful audit," Ulrich said. "Congratulations to the team who helped prepare that."

* Medical staff committees have been appointed for: Medical Records, Tissue and Transfusions, Patient Care Evaluation, Utilization Review, Infection Control and Trauma.

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