Reputation Plays a Vital Role in Influencing a Patient's Choice of Hospital

From JD Power:

Patient perceptions of a hospital's reputation play an important role in hospital selection, according to the J.D. Power Associates 2005 National Hospital Service Performance StudySM. The study, which was based on responses from 2,500 patients who stayed in a hospital for at least one night within the previous three to nine months of being surveyed, found that three-fourths of patients used reputation-related information as their primary criteria in selecting a hospital.

Nearly one-half (48 percent) of patients said that the hospital's overall reputation was their primary criterion for selection, while 25 percent said the availability of good doctors and having skilled nurses on staff was most important in their selection.

The study measured overall patient satisfaction in five categories: dignity and respect; speed and efficiency; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support. Patients overall were very satisfied with the service they received during their most recent hospital stay, with 74 percent of patients giving the hospital high ratings regarding their hospital experience. Hospitals received the highest ratings from patients in the area of dignity and respect. Conversely, patients have consistently given hospitals the lowest ratings for speed and efficiency, with only 36 percent of patients indicating they were delighted.