HCAHPS - Community Hospital

HCAHPS

HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) is a national survey that asks patients about their experiences during a recent hospital stay.

These results are from patients who had overnight hospital stays from January 2008 through December 2008.

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Hospital Compare (a quality tool by Medicare)

Patients reported how often their nurses communicated well with them during their hospital stay. “Communicated well” means nurses explained things clearly, listened carefully to the patient, and treated the patient with courtesy and respect.

Patients reported how often their doctors communicated well with them during their hospital stay. “Communicated well” means doctors explained things clearly, listened carefully to the patient, and treated the patient with courtesy and respect.

Patients reported how often they were helped quickly when they used the call button or needed help in getting to the bathroom or using a bedpan.

If patients needed medicine for pain during their hospital stay, the survey asked how often their pain was well controlled. “Well controlled” means their pain was well controlled and that the hospital staff did everything they could to help patients with their pain.

If patients were given medicine that they had not taken before, the survey asked how often staff explained about the medicine. “Explained” means that hospital staff told what the medicine was for and what side effects it might have before they gave it to the patient.

Patients reported how often their hospital room and bathroom were kept clean.

Patients reported how often the area around their room was quiet at night.

The survey asked patients about information they were given when they were ready to leave the hospital. Patients reported whether hospital staff had discussed the help they would need at home. Patients also reported whether they were given written information about symptoms or health problems to watch for during their recovery.

After answering all other questions on the survey, patients answered a separate question that asked for an overall rating of the hospital. Ratings were on a scale from 0 to 10, where “0” means “worst hospital possible” and “10” means “best hospital possible.”

The survey asked patients whether they would recommend the hospital to their friends and family.