June 1, 2011

The National H.C.A.H.P. Survey, which measures the satisfaction of Medicare patients, recently gave the Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville a noteworthy rating.

"We're extremely pleased. For the last several quarters we've actually been very close to being the top ranked hospital in the state. Usually we're second or third, and this last quarter we've moved in the first place position," said Elliot Kuida, the Chief Operating Officer for the hospital.

A government agency questioned patients over the phone. They asked questions relating to how quickly nurses respond to calls, and how well the care team manages pain. The hospital received a rating of 83 percent, based on patient responses. The hospital fared well both in Virginia, and across the country.

"I think the thing it means to patients is that Martha Jefferson is known for its caring tradition, our ability to provide high quality clinical care with excellent outcomes on a very caring personal level," said Kuida.

Hospital staff says the rating did not come easily, and that they have been working hard to improve their skills and achieve their medical goals.

"The fact that we're now doing things like neurosurgey, or electrophysioloy services, or complicated spine surgery, we're doing those things that used to only happen in academic teaching hospitals or large community hospitals. Now we're able to do it at a hospital like Martha Jefferson," said Kuida.

While the staff has stepped up their services around the hospital, they say there is still more to work on.

"We can always do better. Yes, we're number one, but now we'd like to stay there," said Kuida.

Hospital staff say they hope the new building and added technology will allow them to go further and advance medcally, while keeping their patients happy and spreading the good word.