The high opinion of its patients earned Cobleskill Regional Hospital the highest rating of any Capital District hospital on a report card issued by an independent health organization in June.
When asked on a survey to rate their local hospital on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being “worst hospital possible” and 10 being “best hospital possible,” 67 percent of patients gave CRH a 9 or 10.
Though pleased with the survey results, hospital President and CEO Eric Stein cautioned that a report card is just one factor to consider when making decisions about healthcare.
The survey was by the Niagara Health Quality Coalition, a Buffalo organization that issues report cards on New York hospitals. The coalition is not-for-profit and receives no financial support or fees from the hospitals it grades.
CRH’s 67 percent rating is 12 points above the state average of 56 percent and three above the national average of 64.
“It is very important for healthcare providers to have the faith and trust of their patients,” Mr. Stein said. “So of course, we are pleased with this high grade.”
At the same time, the public should weigh other factors and opinions when making health care choices, he added.
“I always like to remind people that report cards are just one of the many resources they can use to make decisions about their health care.
“We recommend that people talk to their doctors, family and friends, in addition to referring to the growing number of report cards that aim to provide information about the quality of hospital care.”
In addition to rating the opinions of patients, the seventh annual New York State Hospital Report Card also rates quality of care for certain procedures and conditions. To be rated, hospitals must have treated at least 30 cases in a category.
In categories for which it was rated, CRH received two stars, which indicates performance at the state average.
Reprinted from The Business Review, June 26-July 2, 2009, the survey asks:
How many patients would give their hospital a high rating?
Hospital Percentage
Albany Medical Center 56
Albany Memorial 64
Cobleskill Regional 67
Ellis 57
Glens Falls 60
Nathan Littauer 59
Samaritan 60
Saratoga 63
St. Mary’s, Amsterdam 59
St. Mary’s, Troy 60
St. Peter’s 58
Note: In the report card, Cobleskill Regional is listed under its former name, Bassett Hospital of Schoharie County.
The Niagara Health Quality Coalition’s 2009 report card is at www.myhealthfinder.com.