LEBANON, Va. – Russell County Medical Center has been ranked No. 1 in the commonwealth of Virginia for nurse communication, according to data released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
“We care for our patients like they’re our own family; we really want to make a difference in their lives,” said Greta Morrison, chief nursing officer at Russell County Medical Center. “And we believe that good communication is key in making that happen.”
The practice of treating patients like family has made an impression on patients, as indicated by their responses to standardized patient surveys. With a score of 90 percent for the survey measure, “patients who reported that their nurses ‘always’ communicated well,” Russell County exceeds the Virginia average of 79 percent and the national average of 80 percent.
“This is a great honor for our team,” said Stephen Givens, administrator of Russell County Medical Center. “Our nurses receive letters and thank you cards from patients all the time, thanking them for the care that was given to them while at our hospital. To be No. 1 in the state for nurse communication acknowledges their hard work and reaffirms our commitment to putting patients first.”
The federal data – which is publically available on the CMS Hospital Compare website – was collected by Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), a national survey that asks patients about their experiences during a recent hospital stay. The figures were collected from April 2015 through March 2016 and are the most recent data available.
The hospital earned this achievement by focusing on communication to improve patient satisfaction. The nursing staff formed a committee that meets monthly to discuss any issues patients may be facing. Nurses also go over patients’ notes to see if additional services – like case management – could be of assistance. And at Russell County Medical Center, nurses spend extra time talking to patients before they’re discharged so they know what to expect when they go home.
“We want to make sure our patients truly understand everything, from their condition to their prescriptions,” said Morrison. “Making sure they are informed is a priority for us, and we’re very proud to be recognized for it.”
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About Russell County Medical Center:
Located in Lebanon, Va., Russell County Medical Center is a 78-bed not-for-profit hospital dedicated to bringing quality health care to Southwest Virginia. As a community hospital, Russell County Medical Center provides a full array of primary care services. The facility also offers specialty services, including behavioral health, surgical services, hospice, emergency care, as well as cancer and infusion services. Learn more about Russell County Medical Center at www.MountainStatesHealth.com/RCMC.
