Award Categories

For the 2010 awards year, members will be recognized for achievements in three categories:


Improving the Patient Experience

• Recognizes innovative programs that have improved the patient experience as measured by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems’ survey (HCAHPS). Examples include improvements in the following areas: improving physician and nurse communications, and providing education regarding the medications to be taken at home or in giving post discharge care instructions. 

Integrated Delivery System—Improving Transitions in Care

• Recognizes an organization that has improved the coordination and integration of care to any patient population that is served by the hospital or health system.  The improvements may be related to better coordination of services or new uses of alternative care delivery sites such as community clinics, transitional rehabilitation, visiting nursing associations or the development of medical homes.

Using Health Information Technology to Advance Performance Improvement

• Recognizes an organization that has used health information technology (HIT) to improve the care of a specific patient population or effectively coordinate care for patients. Examples include the use of HIT to facilitate communication within a level of care or across the continuum of care.