ALEXANDRIA, LA — Rapides Regional Medical Center has been named a 2020 Guardian of Excellence Award winner by Press Ganey. The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing health care organizations that have achieved the 95th percentile or above in Patient Experience.
This award is specifically given for Patient Experience in the hospital’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit.
The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a nationally recognized symbol of achievement in health care. Presented annually, the award honors clients who consistently sustained performance in the top 5 percent of all Press Ganey clients for each reporting period during the course of one year.
“The Guardian of Excellence award is a direct reflection of the dedication our NICU team has to our babies and parents, “ said Tracy Alletag, RN-BSN, NE-BC NICU/Nursery Manager. “Connections made during their time in the NICU go beyond discharge because our dedicated team members care like family. This is the 2nd year in a row that we have received this award. I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful group of healthcare workers and so proud of this nationally recognized achievement!”
The Newborn Intensive Care Unit at RWCH is a Level III NICU, staffed by an experienced, multidisciplinary team that includes:
- 24-hour Neonatologist coverage
- 24-hour in-house Neonatal Nurse Practitioner coverage
- Neonatal Nurses
- Respiratory Therapists
- Dietitian
- Speech and Language Pathologists/Occupational Therapists for feeding and swallowing therapy
- Social Worker
- Pharmacist
- Lactation Consultants
In addition, prior to the delivery of any high-risk infant, the NCIU team works with the obstetric team to provide family consultations.
“The caregivers and staff of Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital touch the lives of patients and their families in profound ways,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Press Ganey. “This award reflects their deep commitment to listening to the voices of their patients and our shared mission to reduce suffering and improve the safety, quality and experience of patient-centered care.”
According to Karen Z. Hathorn, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Administrative Director of Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital, the award represents an important recognition from the industry’s leader in measuring, understanding and improving the delivery of care.
“In our Level III NICU, we provide highly specialized care to the tiniest of our patients,” Hathorn said. “We don’t just care for the babies. We also care for the family. The parents are an integral part of baby’s care – and we strive to keep them informed and educated, so when they are discharged from the hospital, they can continue to provide the very best of care.
“This award lets us know we are doing our job. The patient satisfaction survey is completed and returned by the parents. Our amazing staff of neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, speech/occupational therapist and techs provide care on a higher level.”