The Valley Hospital has been recognized for a fifth consecutive time for service excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program.SM This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by The Valley Hospital to provide its patients with an "Outstanding Inpatient Experience."

"Because patients place a high value on the service aspects of their hospital stay, providing them with a consistent, positive experience year after year is as important to hospitals as it is to any other service industry," said David Stefan, executive director of the healthcare division at J.D. Power and Associates.

The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying a random sample of recently discharged patients of The Valley Hospital on their perceptions of their hospital stay. Patient feedback was then compared with the national benchmark established by the J.D. Power and Associates National Hospital Service Performance Study.SM

The telephone-based research conducted among inpatients focuses on the five key drivers of patient satisfaction with their overall hospital experience that were established in the national study: dignity and respect; speed and efficiency; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support.

The Valley Hospital exceeds the national benchmark study score for overall inpatient satisfaction. In comparison with the national study, the hospital performs well in providing patients with a comfortable experience, particularly in the areas of concern for continued recovery and well-being, and the nurses' concern for easing pain. The Valley Hospital also receives high ratings for overall speed and efficiency.

Patients were asked to rate their level of trust and confidence in the hospital after their inpatient stay. Two out of three patients indicated they have more or much more trust and confidence in the hospital after their most recent stay.