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Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley ranks in top 8% for patient satisfaction, one of only 3 in state

Posted 5/20/15

POTSDAM -- Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley has been ranked in the top eight percent of hospices in the country for satisfaction and is one of only three in New York State to be …

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Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley ranks in top 8% for patient satisfaction, one of only 3 in state

Posted

POTSDAM -- Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley has been ranked in the top eight percent of hospices in the country for satisfaction and is one of only three in New York State to be honored.

Hospice Honors winners are determined by using results from the Family Evaluation of Hospice Care survey, taken from approximately 1,700 partnering hospices between October 2013 and September 2014, and compiled by data management company Deyta

The awards program recognizes hospices providing high levels of satisfaction as measured from the caregiver’s point of view.

They were ranked in the top eight percent of participating hospices and is one of only three in New York State for the current year of Hospice Honors.

Brian Gardam, executive director for Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, credits the 2015 Hospice Honors award to dedicated staff and a vigorous quality improvement program.

“This is tremendous recognition for the exceptional care our staff provide each day,” Gardam said.

“Our most important measures of how well we are doing are the grades we receive from the patients and families we serve. This award comes from responding to what families have told us is important to them,” he said.

Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, established in 1983, serves patients throughout St. Lawrence County.

Approximately 500 hospice patients per year receive holistic care that focuses on providing relief from the pain and uncomfortable symptoms often associated with serious illness. Members of the hospice care team include family caregivers, registered nurses, doctors, licensed practical nurses, social workers, clergy and volunteers.

To qualify for hospice, a Medicare benefit, a patient must have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. Palliative care patients also receive care aimed at bringing relief, although this care is typically provided at the same time the patient is seeking curative treatment.

In addition to clinical care for patients and families, Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley also provides a number of grief and caregiver support programs to community members.

Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley was also a Hospice Honors recipient in 2013.