Karmanos Cancer Center receives HealthGrades' 2012 Outstanding Patient Experience Award

DETROIT, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center is among 332 hospitals nationwide to receive HealthGrades' 2012 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™. The award recognizes hospitals that are rated in the top 10 percent of patient satisfaction surveys based on the patients' experiences in each hospital. Karmanos also received the award in 2011.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20071106/KARMANOSLOGO)

HealthGrades analyzed patient satisfaction data for 3,837 hospitals in the country using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) hospital survey data obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The information was compiled from surveys given to a random sample of patients who were discharged from hospitals between April 2010 – March 2011. 

"We are extremely pleased that we have earned this very important distinction again this year," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of the Karmanos Cancer Institute. "It is gratifying to know that our patients have personally ranked us among the top hospitals in the United States. It is Karmanos' committed and caring medical team that ensures our patients and their families have a comfortable and healing experience with us." 

To be considered for the award, hospitals must have a minimum requirement of 50 acute care beds and at least 100 survey responses. They also must have a HealthGrades average star rating of at least 2.5. A total of 27 survey questions sent to patients provides information on measurements including: physician communication, nursing communication, communication about medications, responsiveness of nursing services, adequacy of discharge planning, pain management and hospital cleanliness. Award recipients performed in the top 10 percent in the nation for patient satisfaction, based on survey responses from patients treated at those facilities.

The Karmanos Cancer Center is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States and is the only hospital in Michigan solely dedicated to fighting cancer. Karmanos treats nearly 6,000 new patients each year.

"It takes an entire team of medical professionals to make sure that our patients have the very best experience," said Karen Goldman, R.N., MSN, AOCN, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Cancer Patient Services at Karmanos. "Our compassionate and very qualified nursing staff is a large part of that team that attends to our patients' needs, as well as their families. This is what makes for a truly outstanding patient experience at Karmanos."  

HealthGrades is a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. More than 200 million consumers use the HealthGrades Web sites, including HealthGrades.com and BetterMedicine.com, to research, select and connect with a physician or hospital, and use its comprehensive information about clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, patient safety and health conditions to make more informed healthcare decisions.

To access the full HealthGrades report, visit http://www.healthgrades.com/business/img/HealthGradesPatientSafetySatisfactionReport2012.pdf

For information about Karmanos Cancer Center, call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) or go to
www.karmanos.org.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of 41 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for nearly 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $265 million, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, Karmanos is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to www.karmanos.org.

SOURCE Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute