Independent rating organization honors Southeast Missouri Hospital, Saint Francis Medical Center

Both of Cape Girardeau's hospitals have earned honors from HealthGrades, an independent health-care ratings organization. Saint Francis Medical Center won high marks for patient satisfaction while Southeast Missouri Hospital joined a group getting kudos for safety.

Southeast Missouri Hospital is one of only eight in Missouri to get the safety nod from the independent healthcare ratings organization.

The safety awards, given to 242 hospitals across the nation, were announced Tuesday. The announcement was made with the release a study showing patients at top-performing hospitals were 43 percent less likely to experience a medical error as compared to the poorest-performing hospitals.

The study estimated 211,697 lives could be saved if all hospitals performed at the level of Patient Safety Excellence Award hospitals. The study, which reviewed records between 2005 and 2007, indicated higher safety standards could save the U.S. about $2 billion.

"Patient safety is a top priority at Southeast Missouri Hospital," James W. Wente, Southeast Missouri Hospital president and chief executive officer, said in a written statement. "Our goal, as always, is to provide the best possible care for our patients. Our success in that endeavor is the result of the daily efforts of our skilled and compassionate nurses and our talented physicians. This award reflects the strong commitment of our entire staff to provide the best healthcare for our region."

Patient Safety Excellence Award hospitals represent the top 5 percent of all U.S. hospitals.

Patient satisfaction

Saint Francis Medical Center is one of six Missouri hospitals in the nation's top 10 percent for patient experience, according to HealthGrades.

"Patient satisfaction is a top priority for Saint Francis," said Steven C. Bjelich, president and CEO of Saint Francis. "We work very hard to ensure every patient is treated as an individual and with dignity and respect. The high praise for Saint Francis comes from the people who matter the most -- our patients."

Patients were surveyed as part of the federal government's Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems. The national survey is intended to record the patients' views of hospitals and providers as a way to improve healthcare quality. The survey also helps increase transparency in health care. Patients were asked 27 questions about doctor and nurse communication, response speed, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, medication information and post-discharge care instructions.

In addition to receiving a high rating in overall satisfaction, 83 percent of Saint Francis patients gave high marks for caregiver communications. Complete survey results are online at www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.