2007 was the first year for a new Distinguished Hospital designation by J.D. Power
and Associates; Distinguished Hospital for Cardiovascular Excellence. The Nebraska
Medical Center is the first Nebraska hospital to receive the designation and one
of only two hospitals in the entire country to be named Distinguished Hospital for
Cardiovascular Excellence.
Glenn Fosdick, FACHE, President and CEO of The Nebraska Medical Center said, "We
are extremely pleased to be among the first hospitals in the country and the first
in Nebraska to be recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for cardiovascular excellence."
Another milestone with 2007’s J.D. Power and Associates designations, The Nebraska
Medical Center demonstrated "An Outstanding Patient Experience" for inpatient
services for the third consecutive year.
"Because patients place a high value on the service aspects of their hospital
stay, providing them with a consistent, positive experience year after year is as
important to hospitals as it is to businesses in any other service industry,"
said David Stefan, executive director of the healthcare division of J.D. Power and
Associates.
The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying a random sample of
recently discharged Nebraska Medical Center patients on their hospital stay and
comparing the results to the national benchmark established by the annual J.D. Power
and Associates National Hospital Service Performance Study.SM Researchers
focused on five key drivers of patient satisfaction with their overall hospital
experience: dignity and respect; speed and efficiency; comfort; information and
communication; and emotional support.
The Nebraska Medical Center exceeded the national benchmark study score for overall
inpatient and cardiovascular satisfaction. Compared with the national study, The
Nebraska Medical Center performed well in speed and efficiency. In particular, inpatients
gave high marks with regard to the speed and efficiency of testing and treatment
personnel, and in the availability of the doctor.
Nebraska’s inpatient performance scores were also high compared with the national
study in the area of overall comfort, particularly regarding nurses’ concern for
comfort during procedures and controlling pain.
Patients were asked to rate their level of trust and confidence in the hospital
after their visit. Three of four cardiovascular patients and two of three inpatients
indicate they have more or much more trust and confidence in the hospital after
their most recent visit.
"J.D. Power and Associates have developed a nationally renowned ability to
assess and recognize excellence in a variety of fields, including health care,”
said Fosdick. “Meeting their standards in these areas provides the community with
an appreciation for our commitment to excellence."
J.D. Power and Associates look only at non-government, acute-care hospitals for
its Distinguished Hospital recognition. Because of the rigorous standards, only
20-percent will qualify. Distinction is valid for one year.