St. Luke’s Wood River earns ‘patient experience’ distinction
By Eric Valentine
Cup half empty: If you didn’t like how things went down in this Valley when it came to your medical issue(s) during the pandemic, 95% of people around the country feel they had it worse.
Cup half full: Whatever medical issue(s) you had to deal with during the pandemic, 95% of people around the country weren’t as fortunate as you.
A pandemic is the least likely time anyone is going to be pleased with how their healthcare system is operating. But if St. Luke’s Wood River’s most recent accolade is any indication, COVID-19 in 2021 has nothing on the staff and the systems of the Valley’s premier healthcare provider.
St. Luke’s Wood River announced Tuesday it has been named a 2021 Guardian of Excellence Award winner by Press Ganey, the national leader in healthcare consumer and workforce engagement. The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing healthcare organizations that have achieved the 95th percentile or above of performance in Patient Experience in the Emergency Department and Inpatient Care.
Press Ganey pioneered the healthcare performance improvement movement 35 years ago. The company works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality, and experience of care.
The Guardian of Excellence Award honors organizations that have achieved the 95th percentile across Press Ganey clients for patient experience, employee engagement, physician engagement or clinical quality performance.
“Now more than ever, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the strength and resiliency of these dynamic health systems across the nation who, despite facing enormous challenges, have continued to provide their communities with safe and exceptional care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, chairman and chief executive officer, Press Ganey.
“The really impressive thing is the recognition of the sustainability in performance, which is a true reflection of the quality of care our healthcare team provides. They sincerely care about the patients they serve and each other, going above and beyond every day for each other and our patients as if they were their own family members,” said Almita Nunnelee, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer for St. Luke’s Wood River.
“Despite the immense effects of the pandemic, this team is dedicated to their community and to each other. The entire healthcare team consistently comes together with mutual respect for each other to care for their neighbors, friends, and families. They are a tight-knit team that have a sense of family and will step up to help each other despite the continued stresses they experience every day,” said Angela Brady, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at St. Luke’s Wood River.
