July 21, 2010

Unless you're there to welcome a new member to the family, a trip to the hospital usually means something is wrong. And at Martha Jefferson Hospital, they're working to make sure they do right by the patients.

"We really try to make it a more comforting and good healing environment," said Mina Ford, a registered nurse.

A state-wide survey was conducted at about 80 hospitals, in which patients were asked if they would recommend the hospital to a friend of family member. When the results were released, Martha Jefferson ranked third in the state in overall patient satisfaction.

Media Relations Specialist Jenn McDaniel believes the high marks are traced back to teamwork and the caring tradition at Martha Jefferson.

"It's something that you can really feel when you walk into the building. For example, if somebody is lost in Martha Jefferson, instead of pointing them in the right direction and telling them where to go, we actually walk with them; we have a conversation and we show them where they need to be. So, little things like that that just happen everyday," said McDaniel.

While staff are quick to point out that their basic job is to heal patients, they are pleased with the high praise from the patients themselves.

"Throughout the organization, we do a lot of outcome measures, we talk about them, we really look at ways to improve what we are doing everyday. That's the bottom line, we want to provide good care, and we can't do that if we are not measuring it," said Ford.

McDaniel says the new Martha Jefferson Hospital will take patient satisfaction to the next level. She says much of the planning for the new hospital - from more dining options to private rooms - is based on what patients want.