East Cooper Regional Medical Center named distinguished hospital by J.D. Power and Associates

Second Consecutive Year for Providing an Outstanding Patient Experience

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ — East Cooper Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, S.C., has been recognized for a second consecutive year for service excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program(SM). This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by East Cooper Regional Medical Center to provide an outstanding patient experience. East Cooper has served the Mount Pleasant area since 1986 and is owned by Tenet Healthcare.

“Because patients place a high value on the service aspects of their hospital stay, providing patients with a consistent, positive experience is as important to hospitals as it is to any other service industry,” said David Stefan, executive director of the healthcare division of J.D. Power and Associates.

The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying a random sample of recently discharged patients from East Cooper on their perceptions of their hospital stay and comparing the results to the national benchmark established by the annual J.D. Power and Associates National Hospital Service Performance Study(SM).

The telephone-based research conducted among East Cooper Regional Medical Center patients focuses on the five key drivers of patient satisfaction with their overall hospital experience. These drivers, which were identified in the national study, include: dignity and respect; speed and efficiency; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support.

“This is a wonderful affirmation of the hard work and dedication of our medical staff and hospital employees,” said Andrea Wozniak, chief executive officer of East Cooper. “The best thing about this prestigious recognition is that it is based on what our patients say about us, and our patients matter the most.”

East Cooper Regional Medical Center exceeded the national benchmark study score for overall patient satisfaction by a significant margin. The hospital performed particularly well compared to the national study with respect to the emotional support the staff provided to their patients. The hospital received notably high ratings in this area on the hospital personnel’s compassion and the hospital personnel’s treatment of family and friends.

East Cooper also performed well relative to the national study in the speed and efficiency with which it provided care to patients, especially regarding the discharge process and the nurses’ promptness in responding to the call button.

Additionally, patients were asked to rate their level of trust and confidence in the hospitals after their most recent stay. Among East Cooper patients, 62 percent indicate they have more or much more trust and confidence in the hospital. Furthermore, East Cooper patients are more likely to experience increased trust and confidence in their hospital because of their experience, as compared to the national average.

Non-government, acute-care hospitals throughout the nation are eligible for the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital recognition. Distinction is valid for one year, after which the hospital may reapply for this recognition.