New England’s Best Hospitals Rated By Patients
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor
What are New England's top hospitals, according to patient feedback?
While annual rankings such as US News and World Report's and safety grades by groups like The Leapfrog Group shine the light on a number of criteria by which to judge a hospital's efficacy, there is another measurement by which they are rated -- and that is by the patients who have been there.
The annual Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, also known as the HCAHPS Survey, is a government sponsored survey that looks at patient satisfaction for such metrics as communication by doctors and nurses to cleanliness and quietness of facilities. GoLocal looked at the most recent patient responses at 176 hospitals in New England, and analyzed the patient responses to emerge with rankings for the region, as well as each state.
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"This is a whole new era for healthcare, and it's been a long time coming," said Joseph W. Spinale, DO, Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer at Kent Hospital. "Hospitals have for long time been physician centric, not patient centric. Healthcare has been late in doing that -- this is one way we're able to do that.
See New England Hospital Rankings BELOW
Rhode Island had eight hospitals land in the top 50 in New England, including two Lifespan Hospitals -- Newport Hospital and Miriam Hospital -- the the top five.
"Relative to patient experience measurement, the HCAHPS Survey is sent to a sample of patients who were admitted to our hospitals for an overnight stay and who were discharged to home. Clearly, within the established survey parameters, the HCAHPS survey is only capturing a small segment of our patient population," said Cathy E. Duquette Executive Vice President, Nursing Affairs at Lifespan.
In a theme common among hospitals who weighed in on the HCAHPS surveys, Duquette noted that they were just one method of gathering information about patient satisfaction.
"Our aim is to gather feedback from our patients and their families across multiple settings using a number of different mechanisms. In some settings we solicit patient feedback at the conclusion of the care experience and in others we make follow-up phone calls or send our own surveys," said Duquette. "We believe the HCAHPS survey process is just one tool to assist us as we work to evaluate our performance against our mission for delivering health with care."
Kent's Spinale noted that while the data reported each year is for a time period over a year old, the hospital compiled its own real time data to make assessments -- and changes where opportunities were seen.
"I view it as an accurate depiction of the hospital -- a year ago," said Spinale. "Some patients are savvy enough to go online, but that's not the way most patients make a choice. If you live in Kent County, or another area in the state, you usually go to the one closest by. If you have a good experience, you'll go back. if you wait six hours, you'll probably look elsewhere."
See Rhode Island Hospital Rankings HERE
Spinale spoke to measures the hospital was taking based on data it received -- and more. "The biggest thing that we've done was to reengineer our ER, for the survey showed us that was a major factor. Now we have among the shortest waiting times in the state, and are in the top ten percentile in the county."
Still, Spinale said the hospital was seeking additional feedback. "At Kent we started our first patient family advisory council, which is a group of patients and/or their family members who have had a good -- or bad -- experience at the hospital. They'll be be a group of advisers, on every new policy we put in place. We look at programs from physicians, nurses, health care providers perspectives -- and now especially patients."
Hospitals, Nurses on Data
“Hospitals can put action plans in place for improvement on any of the topic areas included in the survey. Action plans may be for specific units or the hospital as a whole," said Pat Noga, PhD, RN, Vice President of Clinical Affairs at the Massachusetts Hospital Association. "In general, we’re seeing more focus on trying to ensure a quiet care environment for patients, so units can be as conducive to healing as possible. Many hospitals also now have staff education and training programs in place that focus on enhancing the patient experience.”
The Massachusetts Nursing Association, however, took issue with the use of the data collected.
"These surveys are only mildly helpful to the patients and they do not reflect the actual quality and safety of patient care in our state’s or our nation’s hospitals. We need to be doing more to improve care and prevent poor outcomes, not just survey patients impressions of care, which really don’t reflect the true quality of care in hospitals," said MA Nursing Association President, Donna Kelly-Williams, RN.
See Massachusetts Hospital Rankings HERE
"One outcome that is measured by the federal government, not reflected in this survey is the number of times patients are readmitted to the hospital: which refers to those patients that need to come back to the hospital for complications in their care that are the result of their not receiving appropriate care in the first place. When it comes to that measure, Massachusetts hospitals rank 42nd in the nation for their ability to prevent readmissions," said Kelly-Williams.
Kelly-Williams continued, "Put another way, we are among the eight worst states in America for failing our patients who come to us for care. Coincidently, excessive patient assignments for nurses is a key reason why Massachusetts does such a bad job of providing care to hospitalized patients. Our nurses are forced to care for too many patients at once, which is resulting not only in excessive readmissions, but also in medical errors, hospital infections and falls. The CDC estimates that 2,000 patients a year a dying in our state’s hospitals due to infections they acquire in the hospital. Again, the number of patients assigned to a nurse is directly related to the number of infections patients receive."
Patient Safety Trends
Patricia McGaffigan, COO & Sr. Vice President of Programs at the National Patient Safety Foundation, which is currently recognizing "Patient Safety Awareness Week," from March 2 to March 8, told GoLocal, "We've recently updated our vision statement, which is "creating a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm."
"Workplace safety, both physical and mental, is a precondition for patient safety," said McGaffigan. "This is not a brand new finding, we've done some really great work on this the National Patient Safety Foundation think tank, the Lucien Leape Institute, who looked at critical concepts for system level attention and action."
McGaffigan noted Former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill's formalizing the workplace-based approach to safety, from his days at Alcoa, with the following leadership tenets:
Am I treated with dignity and respect by everyone I encounter at whatever level?
Am I given everything that I need so that I can make a contribution that gives meaning to my life?
Am I recognised everyday for what I do by someone I respect in the organization?
"Those are the guiding principles to operationalize making the workforce safe before any products or services can be productive," said McGaffigan. "Those principles are being increasingly addressed in the healthcare industry. People are looking for ways to embed those questions in employee surveys, to visualize a safe workforce."
"If workforce safety isn't where it's supposed to be, the outcomes are affected. Creating an essential precondition that needs to be addressed is critical. Some hospitals now have real-time dashboards to report workplace safety metrics," said Gaffigan. "This is well aligned with [O'Neill's] suggestions."
Related Slideshow: The Top 50 Hospitals in New England Rated By Patients
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#50 New London Hospital
New London, NH
No. of beds: 83
This community hospital has offered primary care for the New London community since its founding in 1918.
Highlights: New London's highest marks were earned for its cleanliness—84% said their room was always clean.
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#49 Memorial Hospital
Pawtucket, RI
No. of beds: 294
This community hospital has provided primary and ambulatory care services for residents of the Blackstone Valley of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts for 120 years.
Highlights: Memorial’s highest marks were earned for its staff’s communication skills—84% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#48 St. Joseph Hospital
Bangor, ME
No. of beds: 112
This acute care hospital offers Bangor residents a variety of services, including Medical, Surgical, Orthopedics, Laboratory, Emergency Services, and also features an Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Highlights: St. Joseph’s highest marks were earned for its staff’s communication skills—92% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#47 Nantucket Cottage
Nantucket, MA
No. of beds: 19
Founded in 1911, this not-for-profit regional medical center is the only hospital on Nantucket Island.
Highlights: At Nantucket Cottage Hospital communication reigns supreme—88% of patients reported that their nurses always communicated well, and 86% said the same of doctors.
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#46 Mid Coast Hospital
Brunswick, ME
No. of beds: 92
Founded in 1991, this independently owned community hospital serves a population of 80,000 area residents.
Highlights: Great communication at Mid Coast received the highest marks from patients—81% said nurses always communicated well, and 82% said the same of doctors.
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#45 Rumford Hospital
Rumford, ME
No. of beds: 25
As of 2002, Rumford Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital, thus guaranteeing reimbursement from the federal government closer to the actual cost of providing care for patients insured under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Highlights: An impressive 88% of patients surveyed reported that they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home by staff at Rumford Hospital.
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#44 Bridgton Hospital
Bridgton, ME
No. of beds: 22
Due to Bridgton Hospital’s recent effort to expand services and improve operations, local residents have access to many services and procedures they once had to travel miles to receive.
Highlights: At Bridgton communication shines—81% said nurses always communicated well, and 78% said the same of doctors.
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#43 Waldo County Hospital
Belfast, ME
No. of beds: 25
Known for providing quality care to area residents for over 100 years, Waldo County Hospital was recognized by The Leapfrog Group as one of the top three rural hospitals in the country in 2010.
Highlights: Waldo County Hospital’s highest marks were earned for its staff’s communication skills—90% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#42 Mount Auburn Hospital
Cambridge, MA
No. of beds: 213
Founded in 1886 as the first hospital in Cambridge, Mount Auburn provides a number of clinical services to area residents, including cardiac catheterization, laboratory services, rehabilitation services, and specialized services for men, women and seniors.
Highlights: At Mount Auburn communication shines—82% said nurses always communicated well, and 83% said the same of doctors.
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#41 Mercy Hospital
Portland, ME
No. of beds: 168
Originally known as Queen’s Hospital, this hospital had just 25 beds when it opened over 90 years ago.
Highlights: Mercy’s highest marks were received for its staff’s stellar communication skills—82% said nurses always communicated well, and 83% said the same of doctors.
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#40 Exeter Hospital
Exeter, NH
No. of beds: 100
One of three affiliates of Exeter Health Resources, this tax exempt, community-based hospital is committed to providing innovative and progressive health care services to its patients.
Highlights: Great communication is a hallmark at Exeter—85% of patients said their doctors communicated well, and 84% said their nurses did.
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#39 SW Vermont Med Center
Bennington, VT
No. of beds: 99
Founded in 1918, SVMC is the only hospital in Bennington County and serves portions of Windham County, Vermont, Eastern Rensselaer, New York and eastern Washington Country, New York.
Highlights: Great communication at SVMC got the highest marks from patients—83% said nurses always communicated well, and 83% said the same of doctors.
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#38 Mayo Regional
Dover-Foxcroft, ME
No. of beds: 25
This critical access hospital originally opened in 1935 at the homestead of Col. Edward J. Mayo, who willed the property to the town of Dover-Foxcroft for use as a hospital. The facility recently built the Mayo Resource Center addition that includes space for physical therapy, occupational health, business offices, medical records and conference space.
Highlights: Mayo's highest marks were earned for its cleanliness—88% said their room was always clean.
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#37 Speare Memorial
Plymouth, NH
No. of beds: 25
Speare Memorial Hospital is a 100,000 square foot critical access hospital located in the heart of New Hampshire between the scenic Lakes Region and the White Mountain National Forest. Speare Memorial Hospital is “up the hill” from Main St. Plymouth’s downtown area and adjacent to Plymouth State University.
Highlights: Doctors and nurses alike make sure they communicate well with patients--89% said their doctors always communicated well, and 86% said the same of Speare's nurses.
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#36 Mt. Ascutney Hospital
Windsor, VT
No. of beds: 35
Founded during the Great Depression, Mt. Ascutney is a non-profit, hospital and healthcare provider and recipient of the national and prestigious Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. It recently added a rehabilitation unit and a therapeutic pool, creating a niche that serves a wide region.
Highlights: Cleanliness is paramount at Mt. Ascutney—95% of patients said their room was always clean.
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#35 Monadnock Community
Peterborough, NH
No. of beds: 25
The major strength of MCH, a Critical Access Hospital offering Medical, Surgical and Intensive Care; Obstetrics; Pediatrics; and Mental Health services, is the ability ot its physicians and staff to offer extensive services utilizing state-of-the-art technology, while maintaining the personalized care of a community hospital.
Highlights: Great communication at MCH got the highest marks from patients--84% said nurses always communicated well, and another 84% said the same of doctors.
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#34 Frisbie Memorial
Rochester, NH
No. of beds: 122
This general medical and surgical hospital in Rochester has been providing healthcare to the greater Rochester community for over 80 years.
Highlights: Doctors and nurses alike make sure they communicate well with patients--82% said their doctors always communicated well, and another 82% said the same of Frisbie's nurses.
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#33 Copley Hospital
Morrisville, VT
No. of beds: 25
Founded in 1932, this critical access hospital offers 24-hour emergency services, inpatient and outpatient care to Lamoille County and north central Vermont residents.
Highlights: Stellar communication is a hallmark at Copley—87% of patients said their doctors communicated well, and 85% said their nurses did.
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#32 St. Joseph of RI
North Providence, RI
No. of beds: 231
St. Joseph's treated 188 patients in its first year in 1892, and now, it currently serves 99,000 patients annually.
Highlights: Great communication at St. Jospeh got the highest marks from patients--82% said nurses always communicated well, and 80% said the same of doctors.
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#31 New England Baptist
Roxbury Crossing, MA
No. of beds: 150
New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH) offers nationally recognized expertise in orthopedic surgery, and is the official hospital of the legendary Boston Celtics, and has provided services to U.S.Olympic teams, elite athletic associations and individual elite athletes. But based on the responses, every patient is treated like an elite athlete.
Highlights: The overall patient experience at New England Baptist was incredibly positive—90% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.
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#30 Calais Regional
Calais, ME
No. of beds: 25
CRH serves Northeastern Washington County with an approximate population of 14,000 from Topsfield to the North, Wesley to the West and Eastport to the south. It is the largest employer in Calais, employing more than 200 people.
Highlights: CRH’s highest marks were earned for its staff’s communication skills—90% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#29 Valley Regional
Claremont, NH
No. of beds: 25
Founded in the late 19th century, Valley Regional is the only 24/7-staffed Emergency Room hospital in the Sullivan Country.
Highlights: Stellar communication is a hallmark at Valley Regional—86% of patients said their doctors communicated well, and 85% said their nurses did.
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#28 Roger Williams
Providence, RI
No. of beds: 176
Located in one of Providence’s oldest neighborhoods, Roger Williams is a community-owned and governed health care organization that provides some of the most advanced specialty care currently available.
Highlights: RW's highest marks were earned for its staff’s communication skills—86% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#27 Wentworth-Douglass
Dover, NH
No. of beds: 115
One of the largest acute care hospital in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and Southern Maine, Wentworth-Douglass specializes in Trauma and Emergency Services, Surgery, Cancer Care, Birthing, Orthopedic Services, Cardiovascular Services, Sleep Disorders, Rehabilitation, Pain Management, Wound Healing, Wellness and Prevention Programs.
Highlights: Great communication at Wentworth-Douglass got the highest marks from patients—84% said nurses always communicated well, and 83% said the same of doctors.
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#26 N. Maine Medical
Fort Kent, ME
No. of beds: 49
Located in Fort Kent, Northern Maine Medical Center provides a continuum of health care services to residents and visitors of Northern Maine and the Upper St. John Valley.
Highlights: Doctors and nurses alike make sure they communicate well with patients--87% said their doctors always communicated well, and another 87% said the same of Northern Maine's nurses.
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#25 Down East Hospital
Machias, ME
No. of beds: 25
This acute care facility offers state-of-the art technology and specialty services almost unheard of in a small rural hospital. It serves the need of our immediate community in Machias and all of Washington County, bordered by New Brunswick to the northeast and the Bay of Fundy.
Highlights: Down East's highest marks were earned for its staff’s communication skills—87% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#24 Women and Infants
Providence, RI
No. of beds: 247
One of the nation’s leading specialty hospitals for women and newborns, Women & Infants is the ninth largest stand-alone obstetrical service in the country with nearly 8,400 deliveries per year. In 2009, Women & Infants opened what was at the time the country’s largest, single-family room neonatal intensive care unit.
Highlights: Stellar communication is a hallmark at Women and Infants—82% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#23 Inland Hospital
Waterville, ME
No. of beds: 46
Named as a Top Rural Hospital in America, Inland Hospital’s services include acute and critical care inpatient units for adults; ambulatory surgery; birthing center; radiology; rehabilitation; 24-hour emergency care with on-site LifeFlight helicopter pad, specialized clinics, and laboratory services.
Highlights: Inland's highest marks were earned for its cleanliness—86% said their room was always clean.
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#22 St. Andrews
Boothbay Harbor, ME
No. of beds: 55
A key member of the MaineHealth Family of health care providers, St. Andrews Campus is designated as a critical access hospital by the Federal and Maine State governments.
Highlights: St. Andrews posted its highest score for pain control—90% of patients said their pain was always well-controlled.
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#21 Martha's Vineyard
Oak Bluffs, MA
No. of beds: 19
Since its incorporation in April 1921, Martha's Vineyard Hospital has been committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate medical care to each and every member of the Vineyard's year-round and seasonal community, as well as all who visit.
Highlights: The overall patient experience at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital was incredibly positive—83% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.
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#20 Houlton Regional
Houlton, ME
No. of beds: 53
This acute care hospital’s services include a 24 hour physician covered emergency room, comprehensive medical/surgical services and multitude of out-patient services including occupational and physical therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Highlights: Great communication at Houlton Regional got the highest marks from patients—87% said nurses always communicated well, and another 87% said the same of doctors.
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#19 Miles Memorial
Damariscotta, ME
No. of beds: 38
This award winning full-service community health care center provides high quality health care services for the people of Lincoln County, Maine. In 2011, Miles was named one of the three top rural hospitals in the country for providing safe, top-quality care.
Highlights: Miles's highest marks were earned for its staff’s communication skills—89% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#18 Cary Medical Center
Caribou, ME
No. of beds: 65
This acute care hospital is well known for its patient-centered services, the hospital and its staff have won numerous state and national awards for quality in both customer service and clinical performance—including being listed in the top 2% of hospitals in the United States for health information and patient safety technology in 2006.
Highlights: Doctors and nurses alike make sure they communicate well with patients--85% said their doctors always communicated well, and another 85% said the same of Cary's nurses.
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#17 Maine Coast Memorial
Ellsworth, ME
No. of beds: 64
Located in Ellsworth, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital is a 64 bed, full-service hospital serving Hancock and western Washington Counties. Opened in 1956, their comprehensive healthcare facility provides emergency, primary and specialty care acute inpatient, diagnostic, and surgical services.
Highlights: Maine Coast's highest marks were earned for its cleanliness—87% said their room was always clean.
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#16 Clinton Hospital
Clinton, MA
No. of beds: 41
Clinton Hospital is a 41-bed nonprofit, acute care community hospital. The mission of the hospital is to deliver high-quality, comprehensive services to the local and extended community with excellence, compassion and competence. Organized in 1889, Clinton Hospital has been a member of UMass Memorial Health Care since 1998.
Highlights: The overall patient experience at Clinton Hospital was incredibly positive—85% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.
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#15 Parkview Adventist
No. of beds: 55
The first modern medical facility built in the Midcoast area, Parkview opened its doors on July 12, 1959. Since that time, Parkview Adventist Medical Center has continued to grow and meet patient needs through technological advancements, adding more comprehensive services.
Highlights: Parkview's highest marks were earned for its staff’s communication skills—91% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#14 Grace Cottage
No. of beds: 19
Grace Cottage Hospital is an inpatient facility for acute and rehabilitative care. It is equipped with a 24-hour emergency department for critical care treatment, a hospice suite, rehabilitation department and state-of-the-art laboratory and radiology departments.
Highlights: Great communication at Grace Cottage got the highest marks from patients—88% said nurses always communicated well, and another 88% said the same of doctors.
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#13 Penobscot Valley
No. of beds: 25
This general medical and surgical hospital in Lincoln has been serving the community for over 40 years with a wide variety of services and treatment options.
Highlights: Penobscot's highest marks were earned for its cleanliness—85% said their room was always clean.
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#12 Redington Fairview
Skowhegan, ME
No. of beds: 25
Redington Fairview is a critical access facility that provides health care for more than 30,000 residents living in Somerset County - its primary service area, which extends from Skowhegan to the Canadian border. The hospital continues to grow and add services to meet the needs of its population.
Highlights: The two "C's"—cleanliness and communication—defined Redington Fairview's top ratings. Among respondents, 84% said the nurses always communicated well with them, and 85% said their rooms were always clean.
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#11 Stephens Memorial
Norway, ME
No. of beds: 50
Part of Western Maine Health, which in turn is part of MaineHealth, Stephens Memorial Hospital is a non-profit community hospital with a history of providing high-quality, affordable health care to the people of western Maine.
Highlights: Stephens Memorial's highest performance in patient response was communication-based—85% said that their doctors always communicated well with them.
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#10 Blue Hill Memorial
Blue Hill, ME
No. of beds: 25
Blue Hill Memorial Hospital (BHMH) is a critical access hospital offering primary and selected specialty health care services. Mrs. F.B. Richards donated the original hospital in 1922 in honor of her daughter, Katharine. Nearly 90 years later, the hospital is the largest employer in the region and an affiliate of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.
Highlights: Cleanliness is a premium at Blue Hill Memorial Hospitall, as 89% of patients said their room as always clean.
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#9 Westerly Hospital
Westerly, RI
No. of beds: 125
The Westerly Hospital is a 125-bed hospital featuring private patient rooms that provides Washington (RI) and New London (CT) County residents a wide array of medical, surgical, laboratory and rehabilitative services using state-of-the-art technology in an intimate, community hospital setting.
Highlights: Communication is key at Westerly Hospital—83% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#8 York Hospital
York, ME
No. of beds: 79
Founded in 1906, York Hospital is a not-for-profit hospital located on the southern coast of Maine that includes a modern facility with excellent medical/surgical units.
Highlights: The overall patient experience at York Hospital was incredibly positive—90% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.
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#7 Millinocket Regional
Millinocket, ME
No. of beds: 25
MRH is a not-for-profit, Critical Access Hospital that serves as the primary care facility for the communities of Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway and the surrounding territories.
Highlights: Top ratings across the board distinguish Millinocket Regional, but standouts include 86% of patients saying their doctors always communicated well with them, and 86% saying that their rooms were always clean.
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#6 Newport Hospital
Newport, RI
No. of beds: 129
Founded and funded by Newporters in 1873, Newport Hospital began as a 12-bed cottage hospital on donated land, and now has 129 licensed beds. In 2011, the hospital received its second consecutive designation as a "Baby Friendly" hospital by the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Highlights: Newport’s highest marks were earned for its staff’s communication skills—86% of patients said they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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#5 Miriam Hospital
Providence, RI
No. of beds: 247
Founded in 1926, Miriam Hospital is a private, not-for-profit hospital, with a history of providing superior patient care. The hospital is staffed by more than 870 physicians, approximately 50 full-time house staff (medical school graduates), a nursing staff of 500 and more than 2,300 employees.
Highlights: The overall patient experience at Miriam Hospital was incredibly positive—83% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.
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#4 Charles A. Dean
Greenville, ME
No. of beds: 25
Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital is critical access hospital that provides acute, skilled, and nursing facility beds. CA Dean also provides 24-hour emergency medical services, including an ambulance and a full service Emergency Department, three family practice locations, diagnostic services, laboratory, digital imaging, CT scan, ultrasound, mammography, rehabilitation services, as well as, podiatry, and general and orthopedic surgery.
Highlights: Great communication at Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital got the highest marks from patients—89% said nurses always communicated well, and another 92% said the same of doctors. Furthermore, 90% of patients said they would recommend the hospital to a friend.
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#3 Mount Desert Island
Bar Harbor, ME
No. of beds: 25
Mount Desert Island Hospital serves a close-knit island and surrounding communities through its critical access facility in Bar Harbor and a network of health centers across Mount Desert Island—all designed to provide comprehensive health care for residents and visitors. When care is needed off island, they expedite that process and then, as recovery begins, provide compassionate personal care that welcomes the returning patient home.
Highlights: Along with fellow Maine hospital Blue Hill Memorial, Mount Desert Island Hospital posted high scores for doctor-patient communication—90% said their doctors always communicated well with them.
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#2 Fairview Hospital
Great Barrington, MA
No of beds: 25
An affiliate of Berkshire Health Systems, Fairview Hospital has been the center of healthcare in the southern Berkshires for nearly a century. A federally-designated Critical Access Hospital, Fairview provides a full range of primary care services, including 24-hour Emergency Department, surgery, obstetrics, rehabilitation, cardiology and a comprehensive list of diagnostic services including state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and laboratory services as well as therapeutic and prevention programs that address the health needs of the community.
Highlights: This hospital that dedicates itself to compassionate care has much to crow about, particularly the work of its nurses, who 91% of respondents said always communicated well with them (the highest ranking in the Top 50).
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#1 South County Hospital
Wakefield, RI
No. of beds: 93
An independent, non-profit, acute-care hospital in Rhode Island, South County Hospital offers the latest advances in technology and a comprehensive range of medical and surgical services to its patients.
Highlights: Great communication is a hallmark at South County--85% of patients said their doctors communicated well, and 85% said their nurses did. Additionally, 91% of patients reported that they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.
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