Grady Health System Receives 2014 Press Ganey Success Story Award® in Recognition of its Innovative Approach to Organizational Change in Patient Experience and Employee Engagement

ATLANTA, Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Grady Health System is proud to announce it has been named a 2014 Success Story Award winner by Press Ganey Associates, Inc. The Success Story Award recognizes outstanding health care providers that have demonstrated leadership, implemented organizational change and improved performance. Grady was also honored with a 2014 Press Ganey Commitment to Excellence Award for outstanding achievement in employee engagement.

"These awards validate the health system's commitment to creating a culture of service excellence, where employees understand their important role in our success and feel valued for the work they do every day. Grady's monumental leap in employee engagement and patient experience means we are well on our way to achieving our patient care and patient satisfaction goals," said John Haupert, Grady's President and CEO.

The Press Ganey Success Story Award is a highly regarded symbol of achievement in the health care industry. Grady is one of only fifteen organizations to receive this honor in 2014. Press Ganey is the nation's leading health care performance improvement company and partners with more than 11,000 health care facilities, including more than half of all U.S. hospitals, to reduce suffering and improve the patient experience.

"We are proud to partner with Grady," said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO of Press Ganey. "Grady's innovation and leadership has led to significant improvement in  employee engagement. Their efforts have truly benefited patients and advanced the quality and delivery of care in metro Atlanta."

About Grady Health System
Grady Health System is one of the largest safety net health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, six neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed emergency medical services, Grady has the premier level I trauma center in the Metro Atlanta region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. Grady's American Burn Association/American College of Surgeons verified Burn Center is one of only two in the state. And the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center is a Joint Commission designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Other key services include Georgia's first Cancer Center for Excellence, The Avon Breast Health Center, the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Ponce de Leon Center - one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country. Grady's Regional Perinatal Center with its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Primary Care Center and the Rape Crisis Center are also notable components of the health system. The state's only Poison Center is housed at Grady as well.

In 2014 Hospitals & Health Networks Magazine again named Grady one of the country's Most Wired health systems. Grady's Heart Failure Clinic received the 2013 Gage Award for Improving Quality from America's Essential Hospitals.

Press Ganey Associates, Inc.
Recognized as a leader in performance improvement for nearly 30 years, Press Ganey partners with more than 11,000 health care organizations worldwide to create and sustain high-performing organizations, and, ultimately, improve the overall health care experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to help clients operate efficiently, improve quality, increase market share and optimize reimbursement. Press Ganey works with clients from across the continuum of care – hospitals, medical practices, home care agencies and other providers – including more than 50% of all U.S. hospitals. For more information, visit www.pressganey.com.

SOURCE Grady Health System