YVMC wins award for positive patient experience

Steamboat Springs — Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs has been recognized by a national association for the positive experience patients have at the facility.

Patient experience advisory company Press Ganey works with more than 11,000 health care facilities in the U.S., annually awarding locations that consistently rank in the top 5 percent nationally.

YVMC is one of only four hospitals in Colorado that received an award from the organization, and one of only two in the state receiving recognition in the patient experience category. It is the second time the hospital has received the award.

The hospital also announced last week that it had been awarded a 2013 “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures” award from the Joint Commission, a nationwide health care accreditor. The facility was one of 1,224 in the country to receive the distinction.

“It truly means that we have committed and dedicated personnel that want to make a difference. It’s the whole YVMC community,” said Paula Golden, the hospital’s director of emergency and trauma services. “It makes you proud to be a part of that.”

Golden said hospital staff try to exceed the expectations of each patient when it comes to their experience.

“A good experience entails decreasing a patient’s anxiety by keeping them well informed of what we are doing to them and for them and including them as part of their experience,” Golden said.

Press Ganey awards Guardian of Excellence awards in clinical quality, employee engagement, physician engagement and patient experience.