Report shows satisfaction with home care increasing
HH nurses rank high as patients evaluate their care
More than 210,000 patients treated by 541 home health agencies nationwide provided the data included in the 2008 Home Care Pulse Report: Patient Perspectives on American Health Care. The report, produced by South Bend, IN-based Press Ganey Associates, a research and performance improvement firm, shows a continued upward trend in patient satisfaction with high ratings for home health nurses.
A few of the key findings include:
Patients report the highest satisfaction with their nurses, pointing to a strong relationship between provider and patient.
Nurses are the highest-rated provider involved in the home care experience followed by therapists, and lastly by home health aides.
Challenges in working with the home care office and addressing specific concerns are the lowest-rated aspects of home care.
Patients are notably more satisfied when their nurses visited in the morning, particularly between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., vs. in the afternoon.
Satisfaction levels peak in the first three months of using home care and are at its lowest levels beyond 10 months of care.
"It's clear the home care industry is making important improvements to increase their quality of care as evidenced by the trend we have seen over the past several years," says Melvin Hall, PhD, president and CEO of Press Ganey. "Continuous improvement becomes increasingly important as competition and quality initiatives play a larger role in home care."
"Home care providers who actively work to improve their patients' experiences are finding strong correlations with favorable clinical outcomes and financial results," said Lisa Cone-Swartz, Press Ganey's vice president of home health services. "Committed agencies can make a meaningful difference in their patients' lives and at the same time improve the health of their organizations."
The 2008 Home Care Pulse Report: Patient Perspectives on American Health Care now is available at www.pressganey.com/cs/pressroom.
More than 210,000 patients treated by 541 home health agencies nationwide provided the data included in the 2008 Home Care Pulse Report: Patient Perspectives on American Health Care.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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