NUMC RECEIVES 2012 PRESS GANEY TOP IMPROVER AWARD FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF PATIENT SATISFACTION PERFORMANCE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2012

PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055

NUMC RECEIVES 2012 PRESS GANEY TOP IMPROVER AWARD FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF PATIENT SATISFACTION PERFORMANCE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

East Meadow, NY….Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System, announces that Press Ganey, a leading performance improvement firm, recently recognized the Nassau University Medical Center as one of 18 hospitals in the United States to receive the 2012 Press Ganey Top Improver Award. A delegation from NUMC, including Larry Slatky, COO, Guy Courbois, vice president of operations and Annette Thomas, coordinator of patient satisfaction, received the award this week, in recognition of NUMC’s considerable improvement in patient satisfaction in the emergency department, at Press Ganey’s national conference in Washington, DC. Press Ganey is trusted by more than 10,000 health care organizations worldwide to create and sustain high performing organizations to help improve clinical, operational and patient satisfaction scores.

This award recognizes facilities that have shown continuous improvement over the previous two years. NUMC is one of 30 Press Ganey clients to receive this honor. It is one of only 18 to receive it for improvement in patient satisfaction scores, as measured by comparing quarterly scores, with improved scores in three of the four eligible periods. “We are proud to partner with NUMC,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO of Press Ganey. “NUMC’s dedication to continuous improvement of patient satisfaction reflects the organization’s commitment to delivering outstanding service and quality. NUMC’s efforts benefit patients and advance the quality of health care in the NuHealth System.”

Gianelli congratulated staff by indicating: “To be recognized as one of 18 hospitals nationwide for improved patient satisfaction in the emergency department is a huge award for us, as our patient satisfaction data have historically been low and weighed down our value based purchasing scores. Congratulations are in order for the entire emergency staff, but particularly for Dr. Anthony Boutin, Dr. Grace Ting, Anne Heuser, RN, and Nick Albanese, who together comprise the emergency department’s leadership team. We should also recognize Annette Thomas for her leadership of our patient-centered care teams, which have begun to move the dial on a number of our patient satisfaction indicators.”

Steven J. Walerstein, MD, FACP, executive vice president for medical affairs and medical director for the NuHealth System, joined in congratulating the emergency department team: “We have always been proud of the clinical performance of the emergency department at NUMC. This honor recognizes that their superb clinical care is delivered in parallel with patient sensitive communication. Patients coming to NuHealth can feel confident that they will receive care that will leave them healthy and satisfied.”

Slatky joined Mr. Gianelli and Dr. Walerstein in extending his congratulations: “This is a well-deserved award for the NUMC team, especially the staff of the emergency department, for their dedication to continued focus on patient satisfaction scores and their commitment to improved quality of care and patient safety. Top Improvers rise to the challenge every day, achieving excellence over time.”

Through the redesign of the new ED, NUMC’s primary focus was centered on creating new processes which would allow patients to be seen more expeditiously and efficiently as they come through that unit. This included moving from batched assignments to a parallel approach, revamping of the registration process, adding physician extenders at triage, utilized the tracking board system and adding hospitalist to the units to improve patient flow out of the emergency department.

ABOUT PRESS GANEY ASSOCIATES, INC.
Recognized as a leader in performance improvement for 25 years, Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 health care organizations worldwide to create and sustain high performing organizations, and, ultimately, improve the overall health care experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to help clients operate efficiently, improve quality, increase market share and optimize reimbursement. Press Ganey works with clients from across the continuum of care – hospitals, medical practices, home care agencies and other providers – including 50% of all U.S. hospitals. For more information, visit www.pressganey.com.
 
ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life.  Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community.  By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.

For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.