Hospital Recognized by Renowned Healthcare Organization

(Abbeville, SC) April 20, 2012 – Abbeville Area Medical Center has won Studer Group’s Healthcare Organization of the Month Award for rural hospitals. The hospital earned the award for the month of April for the most improvement in its HCAHPS scores, with many scores well above the 90^th percentile. HCAHPS is a national standardized survey that measures a patient’s perception of their hospital experience.

“To be recognized by Studer Group, an organization that works with more than 800 hospitals across the nation, is a wonderful achievement for our hospital,” said Rich Osmus, CEO of Abbeville Area Medical Center. “This prestigious award is a result of the commitment and teamwork that AAMC employees exhibit each and every day in providing high quality, compassionate care to our patients.”

The hospital earned stellar scores that placed it in the 94^th to 99^th percentile in the various categories measured by HCAHPS.

Overall patient satisfaction at Abbeville Area Medical Center ranked in the 94^th percentile compared to other hospitals across the nation. Categories in which the hospital was ranked in the top one percent include nurse communication, discharge information and medication communication. The hospital ranked in the top two percent nationally in physician communication, pain management and offering patients a clean and quiet environment.

“While all of us at the hospital are extremely proud of this achievement, ultimately it’s our patients who benefit from the outstanding level of care we provide,” said Dr. Evangeline Gonzalez, chief of the hospital’s Medical Staff. “When people choose Abbeville Area Medical Center, they can rest assured that the quality of care they receive ranks extremely high, so they can focus on getting well.”

In recognition of the hospital’s accomplishment, AAMC has received an award that is on display at the hospital. AAMC will be recognized at the Studer Group’s national conference. Quint Studer, founder of the Studer Group, also recorded a congratulatory message that will be posted on the hospital’s website at www.AbbevilleAreaMC.com.