August 7, 2007

Health District's Home Health Program Wins National Honor

Hayden, ID -- Panhandle Health District's (PHD) Home Health program has won a national award for healthcare service quality for the third consecutive year. Avatar International Inc., a leading consulting, service and research firm that surveys patient satisfaction in health care, honored PHD's Home Health program in July for surpassing patient expectations.

    Ninety-five percent of the patients that responded to Avatar's survey said Panhandle Home Health had a very high quality nursing staff; 96 percent highly approved of its personal care staff; and more than 96 percent responded that they consistently receive respect from the home care staff.

     "The hallmark of exceptional service to patients is to consistently meet or exceed their expectations-not always an easy task," said Michael Everett, PhD and CEO of Avatar. "Panhandle Health District has demonstrated that it exceeds its patients' expectations in a tangible and measurable manner. I gladly congratulate Panhandle Health District for its continued and impressive efforts to put patients first."

   Only half of the home health programs Avatar surveys nationwide for patient satisfaction exceed patient expectations, said Beth Everett, Avatar vice president.

    "Avatar's goal is that everyone exceed expectations," Everett said.

     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, medical social workers and home health aides.

    Panhandle Home Health is one of only two not-for-profit home health programs in the five northern counties. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance cover the costs of home health services. Because Panhandle Home Health is a division of the health district, it's managed out of PHD's Hayden headquarters.

    To learn more about Panhandle Health District's Home Health program, call 415-5160.

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