Alton Memorial Earns Six PRC National Awards
PT/OT/Speech, Medical Care Unit and OB Lead the Way in Quality of Care

Alton Memorial Hospital and four of its departments won six honors in the 2010 Professional Research Consultants (PRC) National Excellence in Healthcare Awards.

PRC's 5-Star Awards for Overall Quality of Care went to Alton Rehab North and PT/OT/speech for outpatient therapy, and the Medical Care Unit for inpatient medical and obstetrics/labor delivery for inpatient Ob/Gyn. Alton Memorial received a 4-Star Hospital award for Outpatient Services and Overall Quality of Care. The Hospital's physical therapy/occupational therapy/speech therapy also earned a Top Performer Award for Outpatient Therapy Overall Quality of Care.

Service lines that score in the top 10 percent of the national client database for the prior calendar year earn 5-Star Awards. Those that score in the top 25 percent earn 4-Star Awards. The awards are based on the percentage of patients who rate the facility or unit "Excellent" for Overall Quality of Care questions.

 "Every department in our Hospital has worked extremely hard to earn the respect and trust of our patients, physicians and the communities we serve," says Dave Braasch, president, Alton Memorial. "Meeting and exceeding our patients' expectations is one of our top priorities, so we are continuously working to improve the care and services we provide. It is our expectation that the Hospital will continue to be recognized in the future."

"I'm proud of our experienced team of nurses and physicians who give new mothers personalized, expert care with a tender touch," says Jessica Mossman, manager, Family Birth Center. "This award confirms the dedication and expertise of our staff."

"We are fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated staff of physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists, athletic trainers, and support staff," says Sue Walker, manager, Human Motion Institute, the department that includes both PT/OT/speech and Alton Rehab North. "It's wonderful to see them recognized with an honor like this."

"We are lucky to have such a caring and compassionate group of employees and doctors who do an excellent job daily," says Amy Toenyes, manager, Medical Care Unit. "This award will recognize them for their hard work, which they so deserve.  It is wonderful that we are building the best care close to home for our patients and families."
 
Outpatient services available at Alton Memorial that contributed toward the Hospital's 4-Star Award include:

• Human Motion Institute -- at the Hospital and Alton Rehab North
• Medical Imaging
• Twin Rivers MRI
• Heart and Vascular Center -- cardiac cath lab and cardiology services
• Medical and Radiation Oncology
• Digestive Health Center
• Ambulatory Surgical Services

"We are so proud of Alton Memorial Hospital and are thrilled to present them with these National Excellence in Healthcare Awards," says Joe M. Inguanzo, president and CEO, PRC. "These awards are proof that Alton Memorial is committed to improving health care. It takes years of dedication, determination and hard work to achieve this level of success. Congratulations to Alton Memorial Hospital and its staff for improving health care services for Alton and the other communities it serves."

In random and confidential phone interviews patients are asked to assess the quality of care they received at Alton Memorial. The findings are then presented to the Hospital to use in continuous improvement and enhancement of patient satisfaction.