Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center Receives National Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ by HealthGrades

DETROIT, June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center was among 339 hospitals nationwide, and the only hospital in metropolitan Detroit, to receive HealthGrades' 2011 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.

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HealthGrades analyzed patient satisfaction data for 3,797 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 1, 2009 – March 31, 2010.  

"This is such an honor to be recognized as one of the nation's top hospitals when it comes to the patients' experience," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of the Karmanos Cancer Institute. "Although we pride ourselves on providing exceptional cancer care and treatment for our patients, it is gratifying to know that their assessment of Karmanos places us among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the United States. I'm truly grateful to work with such a caring and committed team who make sure our patients and their families experience the very best care every day."  

To be considered, hospitals had to have a minimum requirement of 50 acute care beds or at least 100 survey responses. A total of 27 survey questions provided information on measurements including: overall hospital rating; family and friend recommendation; communication with doctors and nurses; responsiveness of hospital staff; pain management and communication related to medicines; discharge information; and cleanliness and quietness of the facility. Hospitals with rankings in the top 10 percent of all hospitals considered were designated as the 2011 Outstanding Patient Experience award recipients.  

The Karmanos Cancer Center is one of only 40 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States and is the only hospital in Michigan solely dedicated to fighting cancer. Treating nearly 6,000 new patients each year, it's been ranked most preferred hospital for cancer care in southeast Michigan for four consecutive years, according to the National Research Corporation.

"There are many people who help assure that our patients have the very best experience but it's our compassionate and very qualified nursing staff who are attentive to our patients needs, as well as their families, around-the-clock," said Chief Nursing Officer Karen Goldman, R.N., MSN, AOCO, vice president, Patient Services. "They're trained professionals and the best at what they do while treating each patient as if they were a member of their own family. That's part of what makes Karmanos a very special place."  

HealthGrades is America's most trusted, independent source of physician information and hospital quality outcomes. HealthGrades online properties are the nation's leading destination for physician search and empower more than 200 million consumers annually to make informed health care decisions. For more information visit www.healthgrades.com.

For information on cancer services 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 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for nearly 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $216 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. Karmanos is southeastern Michigan's most preferred hospital for cancer care according to annual surveys conducted by the National Research Corporation. 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