PATIENT EXPERIENCE AT DEKALB REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Acute Care Hospital in Fort Payne, AL 35968

Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Patient Survey

DEKALB REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
200 Med Center Drive Fort Payne, AL 35968
Phone: (256) 845-3150

The patient experience evaluation at Dekalb Regional Medical Center is based on the HCAHPS Patient Survey which is administered to a random sample of adult inpatients after they have been discharged. The survey is based on a national, standardized survey of 32 questions and includes patient perspectives on care and patient rating items in several key topics:

Communication with hospital staff
Responsiveness of hospital staff
Pain management
Communication about medicines
Discharge information
Cleanliness of hospital environment
Quietness of hospital environment
Transition of care

Summary Star Rating

Star Rating Average

The summary star rating combines data from different aspects of the patient’s experience of care to make hospital comparison easier. The summary star rating is includes the following components: nurse communication, doctor communication, responsiveness of hospital staff, pain management, communication about medicines, discharge information and care transition.

Communication with Nurses

As part of the nurse communication survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following questions about their interactions with the nursing staff. During this hospital stay, how often did nurses treat you with courtesy and respect? During this hospital stay, how often did nurses listen carefully to you?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Nurse Communication Rating	Good Measure: Nurse Communication Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Nurse communication - star rating
Nurses "always" communicated well	82% Measure: Nurses "always" communicated well This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their nurses "Always" communicated well A higher nurse communication percentage is better.
Nurses "usually" communicated well	13% Measure: Nurses "usually" communicated well This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their nurses "Usually" communicated well
Nurses "sometimes" or "never" communicated well	5% Measure: Nurses "sometimes" or "never" communicated well This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their nurses "Sometimes" or "Never" communicated well A lower percentage is better.

Communication with Doctors

As part of the doctor communication survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following questions about their interactions with doctors. During this hospital stay, how often did doctors treat you with courtesy and respect? During this hospital stay, how often did doctors listen carefully to you? During this hospital stay, how often did doctors explain things in a way you could understand?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Doctor Communication Rating	Good Measure: Doctor Communication Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Doctor communication - star rating
Doctors "always" communicated well	83% Measure: Doctors "always" communicated well This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their doctors "Always" communicated well A higher doctor communication percentage is better.
Doctors "usually" communicated well	13% Measure: Doctors "usually" communicated well This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their doctors "Usually" communicated well
Doctors "sometimes" or "never" communicated well	4% Measure: Doctors "sometimes" or "never" communicated well This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their doctors "Sometimes" or "Never" communicated well A lower percentage is better.

Responsiveness of Hospital Staff

As part of the staff responsiveness survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following questions. During this hospital stay, did you need help from nurses or other hospital staff in getting to the bathroom or in using a bedpan? How often did you get help in getting to the bathroom or in using a bedpan as soon as you wanted? During this hospital stay, how often did nurses explain things in a way you could understand? During this hospital stay, after you pressed the call button, how often did you get help as soon as you wanted it?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Staff Responsiveness Rating	Average Measure: Staff Responsiveness Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Staff responsiveness - star rating
Patients "always" received help as soon as they wanted	68% Measure: Patients "always" received help as soon as they wanted This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that they "Always" received help as soon as they wanted A higher percentage of staff responsiveness is better.
Patients "usually" received help as soon as they wanted	23% Measure: Patients "usually" received help as soon as they wanted This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that they "Usually" received help as soon as they wanted
Patients "sometimes" or "never" received help as soon as they wanted	9% Measure: Patients "sometimes" or "never" received help as soon as they wanted This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that they "Sometimes" or "Never" received help as soon as they wanted A lower percentage is better.

Pain Management

As part of the patient experience survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following questions about pain management while in the hospital. During this hospital stay, did you need medicine for pain? During this hospital stay, how often was your pain well controlled? During this hospital stay, how often did the hospital staff do everything they could to help you with your pain?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Pain Management Rating	Good Measure: Pain Management Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Pain management - star rating
Pain was "always" well controlled	74% Measure: Pain was "always" well controlled This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their pain was "Always" well controlled A higher pain management percentage is better.
Pain was "usually" well controlled	18% Measure: Pain was "usually" well controlled This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their pain was "Usually" well controlled
Pain was "sometimes" or "never" well controlled	8% Measure: Pain was "sometimes" or "never" well controlled This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their pain was "Sometimes" or "Never" well controlled A lower percentage is better.

Communication About Medications

As part of the patient experience survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following questions about their experiences with medications while in the hospital. During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Medicication Explanation Rating	Average Measure: Medicication Explanation Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Communication about medicines - star rating
Staff "always" explained	69% Measure: Staff "always" explained This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that staff "Always" explained about medicines before giving it to them A higher medication explanation percentage is better.
Staff "usually" explained	13% Measure: Staff "usually" explained This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that staff "Usually" explained about medicines before giving it to them
Staff "sometimes" or "never" explained	18% Measure: Staff "sometimes" or "never" explained This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that staff "Sometimes" or "Never" explained about medicines before giving it to them A lower percentage is better.

Cleanliness of Hospital Environment

As part of the patient experience survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following questions about their experiences with hospital’s physical environment. During this hospital stay, how often were your room and bathroom kept clean?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Cleanliness Rating	Average Measure: Cleanliness Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Cleanliness - star rating
Room was "always" clean	70% Measure: Room was "always" clean This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their room and bathroom were "Always" clean A higher cleanliness percentage is better.
Room was "usually" clean	20% Measure: Room was "usually" clean This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their room and bathroom were "Usually" clean
Room was "sometimes" or "never" clean	10% Measure: Room was "sometimes" or "never" clean This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that their room and bathroom were "Sometimes" or "Never" clean A lower percentage is better.

Quietness of Hospital Environment

As part of the patient experience survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following questions about their experiences with hospital’s noise environment. During this hospital stay, how often was the area around your room quiet at night?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Quiet Rooms Rating	Good Measure: Quiet Rooms Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Quietness - star rating
"Always" quiet at night	67% Measure: "Always" quiet at night This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that the area around their room was "Always" quiet at night A higher percentage of quite rooms is better.
"Usually" quiet at night	26% Measure: "Usually" quiet at night This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that the area around their room was "Usually" quiet at night
"Sometimes" or "never" quiet at night	7% Measure: "Sometimes" or "never" quiet at night This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that the area around their room was "Sometimes" or "Never" quiet at night A lower percentage is better.

Discharge Information

As part of the patient experience survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following questions about the discharge information they received. During this hospital stay, did doctors, nurses or other hospital staff talk with you about whether you would have the help you needed when you left the hospital? During this hospital stay, did you get information in writing about what symptoms or health problems to look out for after you left the hospital?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Discharge Information Rating	Good Measure: Discharge Information Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Discharge information - star rating
Yes, staff "did" give patients this information	88% Measure: Yes, staff "did" give patients this information This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that YES, they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home A higher percentage is better.
No, staff "did not" give patients this information	12% Measure: No, staff "did not" give patients this information This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported that NO, they were not given information about what to do during their recovery at home A lower percentage is better.

Transition of Care Information

As part of the patient experience survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following question about their experience when they left the hospital. The survey asks patients if the hospital took into account any specific preferences. The survey also asks patients if they had a good understanding of how to take any prescribed medications.

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Care Transition Rating	Fair Measure: Care Transition Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Care transition - star rating
"Strongly Agree" they understood their care when left hospital	48% Measure: "Strongly Agree" they understood their care when left hospital This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who "Strongly Agree" they understood their care when they left the hospital A higher percentage is better.
“Agree” they understood their care when left hospital	46% Measure: “Agree” they understood their care when left hospital This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who “Agree” they understood their care when they left the hospital
“Disagree” or “Strongly Disagree” they understood their care when left hospital	6% Measure: “Disagree” or “Strongly Disagree” they understood their care when left hospital This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who “Disagree” or “Strongly Disagree” they understood their care when they left the hospital A lower percentage is better.

Overall Rating of Hospital Experience

The patient experience survey collects information from adult patients who have been recently discharged from the hospital. Patients are asked the following question about their overall inpatient hospital experience on a scale of 0 (worst hospital possible) to 10 (best hospital possible). What number would you use to rate this hospital during your stay?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Overall Hospital Rating	Good Measure: Overall Hospital Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Overall hospital rating - star rating
Patients who gave a rating of "9" or "10" (high)	72% Measure: Patients who gave a rating of "9" or "10" (high) This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who gave their hospital a rating of 9 or 10 on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest) A higher hospital rating percentage is better.
Patients who gave a rating of "7" or "8" (medium)	22% Measure: Patients who gave a rating of "7" or "8" (medium) This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who gave their hospital a rating of 7 or 8 on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest)
Patients who gave a rating of "6" or lower (low)	6% Measure: Patients who gave a rating of "6" or lower (low) This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who gave their hospital a rating of 6 or lower on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest) A lower percentage is better.

Willingness to Recommend the Hospital

As part of the patient experience survey adult patients recently discharged are asked the following question about their willingness to recommend the hospital. Would you recommend this hospital to your friends and family?

Measure	Hospital Average	How this Hospital Compares
Recommend Hospital Rating	Average Measure: Recommend Hospital Rating This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Recommend hospital - star rating
"YES", patients would definitely recommend the hospital	66% Measure: "YES", patients would definitely recommend the hospital This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported YES, they would definitely recommend the hospital A higher hospital recommendation percentage is better.
"YES", patients would probably recommend the hospital	29% Measure: "YES", patients would probably recommend the hospital This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported YES, they would probably recommend the hospital
"NO", patients would not recommend the hospital	5% Measure: "NO", patients would not recommend the hospital This measure is based on a sample size of 636. Sample data was collected between 04/01/2014 and 03/31/2015	Patients who reported NO, they would probably not or definitely not recommend the hospital A lower percentage is better.