Newton Memorial radiology tops in patient satisfaction

NEWTON - Newton Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that its radiology department ranked highest in New Jersey - and among the top 2 percent in the nation - in patient satisfaction scores for the category: courtesy of radiology staff in the Emergency Department during the final quarter of 2006. Although many factors contributed to the department’s outstanding success, the staff considers its decision late last year to give warm blankets to patients a contributor. The blankets, the staff said, help enhance patients’ comfort levels and ease their worries as they are placed on a seemingly cold, sterile radiology table for testing. The staff also went above and beyond in their concern for patient comfort and care as they always made sure to ask patients, “Is there anything else I can do for you?” before leaving a patient after testing. Radiology technician, Michael Coombs, said he asks patients whether they can see the television or need him to hand the remote control to them. Although they seem like minor details, these standard practices by the radiology staff illustrate the attention to detail paid by the Radiology Department, which always considers patient comfort and satisfaction among their highest priorities. Steve Flynn, the department’s director, said the staff is committed to sustaining its success and provide the best possible patient experience for everyone who comes through Newton Memorial Hospital’s state-of-the-art Emergency Department. “We want the community to know that this is how we operate at Newton Memorial Hospital,” Flynn said. Newton Memorial Hospital President and CEO Tom Senker was one of several administration officials to attend a pizza party in the department’s honor. “All employees at Newton Memorial Hospital are committed to success and giving the best possible care to our patients,” Senker said. “The Radiology department’s patient satisfaction scores are proof that area citizens can get quality care close to home here at Newton Memorial.” Newton Memorial Hospital uses one of the largest companies in the nation to develop surveys gauging patient satisfaction. The results showed that Newton Memorial’s Radiology Department was among the top 2 percent in the nation out of 888 hospitals surveyed by this company in courtesy of radiology staff in the emergency department.