Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital Receives Top Nurse-patient and Doctor-patient Communication Scores

Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, a member of Dartmouth Health, has received top marks from Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the best hospitals for nurse communication and physician communication.

Becker’s annually compiles a list of the best hospitals for nurse communication and physician communication in each state using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) data. HCAHPS is a national, standardized survey of hospital patients about their experiences during a recent inpatient hospital stay.

“We are pleased to be recognized for the excellence of our nursing and physician communication with patients,” said Sue Mooney, MD, MS, FACOG, President and CEO of Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital. “It has always been part of Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital’s vision to take the time to get to know patients and understand their needs. This kindness provides the base of our high-quality, personalized care.”

The nurse communication and the physician communication rating combines data from three HCAHPS survey questions and summarizes how well patients feel that their providers explained things clearly, listened carefully to the patient, and treated the patient with courtesy and respect.

APD received the five-star ratings based on survey data collected from patients from July 2021 through June 2022. Two additional Dartmouth Health member hospitals — Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, and Southwestern Vermont Health Care — also received five-star ratings.

“I’m very proud of our Dartmouth Health member hospitals who have been recognized for the excellent communication between their physicians and nurses and patients,” said Joanne M. Conroy, MD, CEO and president of Dartmouth Health. “Clear, respectful and compassionate communication between healthcare providers and their patients is critical to building trust in the patient-provider relationship, and ensuring that the provider is able to give their patient the best and most personalized care.”