Santa Maria Sun / News

Marian exceeds patients' expectations

BY AMY ASMAN

In a surprise win, Marian Medical Center was recently named an Exceeding Patient Expectations Award winner by Avatar International Inc., a leading healthcare research and consulting company.

“We weren’t really expecting to win,” Marian Medical Center communication’s specialist Jessa Squellati said. “So that makes it even more exciting.”

Avatar International’s Exceeding Patient Expectations Award is given to hospitals that surpass overall patient expectations. Marian received the honor based on feedback from 6,667 patients throughout 2008. Recipients of the Exceeding Patient Expectations Award are determined by comparing the hospital’s overall score to a score that measures patients’ prior expectations to receiving care at Marian.

“The hallmark of exceptional service to patients is to consistently meet or exceed their expectations—not always an easy task. Marian Medical Center has demonstrated that it exceeds its patients’ expectations in a tangible and measurable manner,” Avatar CEO David Medvedeff said in a press release.

Marian’s core service values of “dignity, stewardship, justice, collaboration, and excellence motivate employees, physicians, and volunteers in providing excellence in patient service and care,” according to the release.

Winning hospitals received their awards at Avatar’s recent Regional Client Symposium.

News Editor Amy Asman compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at aasman@santamariasun.com.