Panhandle Health District

                                                            8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

 Date:     October 2, 2009           

Contact:                                                                                 Released by: Jim Fenton, Acting Director                         

Cynthia Taggart

Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5108

(208) 818-7288 (cell)

Health Care Quality Topnotch for Fifth Consecutive Year

Hayden—Panhandle Health District’s (PHD) Home Health program has won its fifth consecutive national award for exemplary quality in healthcare service.

              Only five home healthcare agencies in Idaho received Avatar International Inc.’s prestigious award for Exceeding Patient Expectations. Avatar is a leading consulting and research firm that surveys patient satisfaction in health care. PHD’s home health program exceeded patient expectations for quality of care, reliability and personalized services.

              “The hallmark of exceptional service to patients is to consistently meet or exceed their expectations—not always an easy task. Panhandle Health District’s home health program has demonstrated that it exceeds its patients’ expectations in a tangible and measurable manner,” said David Medvedeff, PharmD and Avatar CEO. “I congratulate the Panhandle Health District for its continued and impressive efforts to put patients first.”

              PHD’s Home Health program began offering doctor-ordered skilled medical care to homebound patients in northern Idaho’s five northern counties in 1966. The not-for-profit program matches patients with registered and licensed practical nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists and medical social workers.

              “Because we’re a local program, our clients are our neighbors, the people we do business with, the people we sit next to in school and church,” said Mary DeTienne, director of PHD’s Home Health program. “This award tells us our clients are happy with our care, and that’s very important to us. We thank physicians in the community for referring their patients in need of Home Health services to our agency.”

              Panhandle Home Health is one of only two not-for-profit home health programs in the five northern counties and reaches many homebound patients in remote locations. Home health services are covered by Medicaid, Medicare, VA, private insurance and more.

              More people are turning to home health care as medical insurance shortens hospital stays and costs for hospital care climb. Panhandle Home Health is a division of the health district and managed out of PHD’s Hayden’s headquarters.

              To learn more about Panhandle Health District’s Home Health program, visit www.phd1.idaho.gov or call 415-5160.