For an eighth consecutive year, Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital has earned Healthgrades® Outstanding Patient Experience Award for consistently delivering care that patients’ rate as exceptional.

Healthgrades recognized 24 California hospitals and 452 hospitals nationwide for creating a top patient experience, with quiet, clean surroundings, good communication to patients and staff that is warm, friendly and responsive.

“Eight years in a row is unprecedented and amazing. This recognition once again acknowledges our highly skilled, compassionate, and professional staff and physicians,” said Wanda Holderman, Fresno Heart & Surgical’s chief executive officer. “Our culture of service excellence and patient-focused care is truly part of everyone who works here.”

The 2015 Outstanding Patient Experience Award was based on patient survey data collected as part of the federal government’s Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, or HCAHPS.
The federal HCAHPS initiative gathers patient responses to 27 survey questions related to physician and nurse communication, speed of responsiveness, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, medication information, pain management and post-discharge care instructions. The survey, which is reported publically, is designed to collect data so health consumers can make objective and meaningful comparisons among hospitals on issues that are important to patients.

Fresno Heart & Surgical also has been recognized for its clinical excellence in bariatric surgery, carotid surgery, coronary intervention in the cath lab and intensive care nursing by national health ratings and professional organizations.

Erin Kennedy reported this story. Reach her at medwatchtoday@CommunityMedical.org.