Recent Press-Ganey patient satisfaction scores show Gila Regional Medical Center’s Chemotherapy Department as ranking number one in the nation in terms of patient satisfaction.
Gila Regional Medical Center is one of about 1‚600 hospitals nationwide to utilize a company called Press Ganey for gathering patient satisfaction satisfaction information. Hospital patients are sent surveys and the information is compiled and rated by the Press Ganey firm in South Bend‚ Indiana.
“We just did a little bit better than some of the other Chemo departments this quarter‚” said Director Mike Torres humbly. GRMC’s Chemo Department ended up with a 96.3 overall score and a 100 score in Friendliness.
“You can’t touch us right now‚” said Chemo Department team member Gail Yarborough‚ “Our feet are above the clouds.”This number one rating comes at a time when the Chemotherapy Department is functioning with limited space‚ no windows and a mostly gray decorating scheme.
“We consistently hear from people that our Chemo Department is great‚” said Public Relations Director Holley Hudgins‚ “Now we have the statistics to prove what we already knew. We’re very‚ very proud. This department works well as a team and everyone has a lot of job satisfaction.”
Combining the current and the last legislative sessions‚ GRMC has received 4.5 million dollars for the construction of a Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Right now‚ people who need radiation therapy have to drive at least 4 ˝ hours round trip sometimes seven days a week for treatment‚” says GRMC Foundation Board member Ken Foster. “When I had radiation therapy‚ I heard stories repeatedly from people who not only couldn’t afford to stay overnight in Las Cruces‚ Tucson or Albuquerque but were actually having to borrow gas money to travel back and forth‚” Foster added: “This Comprehensive Cancer Center is going to be a blessing to our community.”
GRMC CEO John Rossfeld is guardedly optimistic. “If everything goes well and we get the state approvals we need‚ we may be able to open the Comprehensive Cancer Center the beginning of 2007.”
In the meantime‚ our community can take pride in the excellent work demonstrated by Gila Regional Medical Center’s Chemotherapy Department caregivers in their support of those in our community currently undergoing chemotherapy.
