2007 was the first year for a new Distinguished Hospital designation by J.D. Power and Associates; Distinguished Hospital for Cardiovascular Excellence. The Nebraska Medical Center is the first Nebraska hospital to receive the designation and one of only two hospitals in the entire country to be named Distinguished Hospital for Cardiovascular Excellence.

Glenn Fosdick, FACHE, President and CEO of The Nebraska Medical Center said, "We are extremely pleased to be among the first hospitals in the country and the first in Nebraska to be recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for cardiovascular excellence."

Another milestone with 2007’s J.D. Power and Associates designations, The Nebraska Medical Center demonstrated "An Outstanding Patient Experience" for inpatient services for the third consecutive year.

"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 businesses in any other service industry," said David Stefan, executive director of the healthcare division of J.D. Power and Associates.

The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying a random sample of recently discharged Nebraska Medical Center patients on their hospital stay and comparing the results to the national benchmark established by the annual J.D. Power and Associates National Hospital Service Performance Study.^SM Researchers focused on five key drivers of patient satisfaction with their overall hospital experience: dignity and respect; speed and efficiency; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support.

The Nebraska Medical Center exceeded the national benchmark study score for overall inpatient and cardiovascular satisfaction. Compared with the national study, The Nebraska Medical Center performed well in speed and efficiency. In particular, inpatients gave high marks with regard to the speed and efficiency of testing and treatment personnel, and in the availability of the doctor.

Nebraska’s inpatient performance scores were also high compared with the national study in the area of overall comfort, particularly regarding nurses’ concern for comfort during procedures and controlling pain.

Patients were asked to rate their level of trust and confidence in the hospital after their visit. Three of four cardiovascular patients and two of three inpatients indicate they have more or much more trust and confidence in the hospital after their most recent visit.

"J.D. Power and Associates have developed a nationally renowned ability to assess and recognize excellence in a variety of fields, including health care,” said Fosdick. “Meeting their standards in these areas provides the community with an appreciation for our commitment to excellence."

J.D. Power and Associates look only at non-government, acute-care hospitals for its Distinguished Hospital recognition. Because of the rigorous standards, only 20-percent will qualify. Distinction is valid for one year.