Keller Army Community Hospital honor patients during month-long observance

By Ms Britney L Walker (Army Medicine)February 28, 2012

Keller Army Community Hospital honor patients during month-long observance
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Keller Army Community Hospital honor patients during month-long observance
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Deputy Commander for Clinical Services, Col. Michael Doyle stops to talk with United States Military Academy Cadet Stephanie Salmon during National Patient Recognition Day, Monday, Feb. 27. Keller Army Community Hospital is part of an integrated he... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Keller Army Community Hospital honor patients during month-long observance
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Keller Army Community Hospital honor patients during month-long observance
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Keller Army Community Hospital honor patients during month-long observance
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Keller Army Community Hospital honor patients during month-long observance
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Beverly Land, Keller Army Community Hospital commander talks with United States Military Academy Cadet Joseph Clegy about his recent sports injury during National Patient Recognition Day, Monday, Feb. 27. Keller Army Community Hospital is part o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WEST POINT, N.Y.-- Keller Army Community Hospital a leader in Army Medicine honored patients during National Patient Recognition Month, with a special National Patient Recognition Day, Monday, Feb. 27.

With a theme of "We Are Patient Centered," Army Medicine is devoting the entire month of February to honoring more than 3.95 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide, including active duty service members, retirees, and their Family members.

According to Army Medical Command Health Policy and Services Clinical Services Division, in a typical day, the Army Medical Command serves patients through 41,986 clinic visits, 374 patient admissions, 26,600 dental procedures, 5,879 immunizations, 64 births, 12,494 radiology procedures, 54,048 outpatient pharmacy prescriptions and 50,420 laboratory procedures.

Here at Keller, we believe National Patient Recognition Month is a chance to examine and demonstrate our commitment to patient care, consumer advocacy, and patient-inspired best practices and outcomes.

"Most healthcare observances focus on healthcare personnel," said Col. Wanda Jenkins, deputy commander for nursing and health services. "National Patient Recognition Day is a chance to honor the patients we serve."

"I've been coming to Keller for over 10 years. The doctors here are great and you can tell they really care about their patients. I always receive the best of care," said Gloria Goda, Keller Army Community Hospital patient.

"Patient well being, loyalty, and satisfaction are continually cited as a top concern among healthcare providers," says Col. Beverly Land, Keller Army Community Hospital commander. "National Patient Recognition Day presents a golden opportunity for our management team, physicians, nurses, technologists, technicians, ancillary personnel, and volunteers to reflect on how their attitude and actions affect the well-being and satisfaction of the patients they serve."

"We need to demonstrate that patient needs go beyond the technical aspects of medical care to include empathy, exactness, and encouragement," said Deputy Commander for Clinical Services, Col. Michael Doyle.

It's because of our patient care that Keller earned an overall patient satisfaction rating of 95 percent for January; it's highest on record, according to the monthly Department of Defense and Army surgeon general's Army Provider Level Satisfaction Survey (APLSS).

APLSS surveys are mailed to randomly selected patients approximately one to two weeks after their visit. Patients are asked to assess satisfaction with the provider and services at Keller and their level of overall satisfaction with the entire visit, from making the appointment to the delivery of care.

"Gaining patients' trust is not always an easy thing to do; however, we plan to continue providing excellent customer service and meeting or exceeding Army Medicine's recommended goal of 95 percent in the months to come," said Deputy Commander for Administration Lt. Col. Andrew Lankowicz

For information about Keller Army Community Hospital, visit http://kach.amedd.army.mil/index/index.html.