Winneshiek Medical Center receives good patient satisfaction scores

Winneshiek Medical Center has received high scores for patient satisfaction.

Surveying done by Avatar International showed scores given to the hospital by patients "substantially exceeded" average scores.  99 percent of inpatient respondents favorably rated their care.  94 [ercent of patients rated their nursing care favorably.

The hospital Emergency Department also attracted strong patient satisfaction scores.  100 percent of ER patients thought that tests and procedures in Emergency Department were adequately explained before they were done.

But the Avatar International surveying also found areas that need improvement.  The billing procedures remain a source of concern, with 13 percent of those surveyed reporting they were dissatisfied.

Hospital officials say the biggest problem stems from having one company handle billing for the Decorah Clinic and another company handle billing for Winneshiek Medical Center.  The hospital is looking into consolidating its billing systems.