Franklin Hospital receives behavioral health award

Franklin Hospital, in Valley Stream, was recognized on Dec. 6 for its caliber in the satisfaction of its behavioral health inpatient services. The hospital, a part of the Long Island Jewish Health System, received the 2013 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award.

Press Ganey, which is based in Indiana, is partnered with more than 10,000 health care organizations worldwide with the goal of creating, sustaining and recognizing successful patient experiences. Franklin was honored because its inpatient behavioral health department earned a patients’ satisfaction score of 95 or better for each quarter of the 2012 year.

Franklin Hospital Executive Director Catherine Hottendorf was thrilled to have received the distinction on behalf of the hospital.

“It’s rewarding to be recognized by our patients and peers for the staff’s hard work and dedication,” Hottendorf said in a news release. “We are pleased that the behavioral health patients have reflected [our quality of care] so strongly.”

Isabel Law, director of intensive-care-units in the behavioral health department at Franklin Hospital, told the Herald that the high ratings can be directly attributed to the quality of care provided by the nurses.

“The nurses in the behavioral health wing do everything they can to provide patient-centered care,” Law said. “They interview patients about their preferences and how they would like to receive care. Patients are very involved in the care they receive. We are all partners with the patient to provide the best care for them and their families.”