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Steamboat Springs — "Thank you for the care beyond belief."

In these seven simple words, one patient described the expertise, compassion and teamwork that have once again earned Yampa Valley Medical Center national patient satisfaction awards.

This comment, from a woman who lives in Florida, was written on a patient satisfaction survey in answer to the question: "What do you feel needs to be improved at our hospital?"

"Nothing," the patient replied. "I have been in hospitals a time or two before but never received the timeless, diligent, excellent care that I received from Yampa Valley Medical Center."

This year, YVMC earned three awards from Avatar International, Inc., a company that distributes and monitors patient satisfaction surveys on behalf of 300 hospitals nationwide.

YVMC received Avatar's Exemplary Service - Overall Best Performer award for the seventh consecutive year, placing among the top 20 hospitals in the company's national database of more than 300 hospitals. Just one other hospital has managed this feat each year since 2003.

The Overall Best Performer award is based on 2008 patient survey results. It is awarded to hospitals of any size with the highest overall combined score for inpatient, outpatient, emergency department and ambulatory surgery.

YVMC also achieved the Five-Star Service award in emergency care. This award - given to only the top 2.5 percent of Avatar-surveyed hospitals measures patients' overall satisfaction with their visit to an emergency department.

Last but not least, YVMC received the Exceeding Patient Expectations award, which is earned by about one-third of hospitals that use the Avatar survey system.

As a regional medical center serving residents of Northwest Colorado and southern Wyoming and visitors from across the world, YVMC always has sought and valued patient feedback.

YVMC Director of Performance Excellence Kady Watson said all three awards honor the hard work and personalized care provided by many individual employees, physicians and volunteers in numerous hospital departments.

Watson added that the awards are validated by feedback from patients during their hospital stays or after they have returned home.

"These awards echo the verbal and written communications we receive from patients on an ongoing basis," Watson said. "We get letters, e-mails and phone calls from around the country that the care they received at YVMC exceeded their expectations."

Watson said most inpatients and outpatients receive a survey in the mail about six weeks after receiving hospital services. The survey asks a number of questions and requests written comments.

"We notify employees of comments in our internal newsletter, on bulletin boards and through individual recognition," Watson said. "Patient care involves teams of caregivers from numerous departments. That is why everyone at YVMC can share a sense of pride about the hospital's top rankings."

Patients do not need to wait for a survey to express a question or concern, however.

"We welcome feedback while patients are still here at the hospital," Watson said. "If someone has a concern, we would prefer to address it during their stay. I then work with hospital department leadership and the patient to resolve any issues."

YVMC also solicits patient comments through its Web site, www.yvmc.org. Patients can send staff members a note of thanks, ask a question or share a concern.

In closing, here are a few more survey comments:

"I think all my needs were taken care of with the utmost care and respect. Thanks again!"

"Being an irregular heartbeater, I was scared to take the stress test. But Dr. Baker and the two assistants made me laugh and feel safe - they were awesome. Would drive from Craig anytime to use Yampa Valley Medical Center."

"Your hospital ER was just the best. It was Saturday night and service was still prompt. The doctor was awesome and spent time explaining everything. He never acted rushed and was so attentive."

"Thank you! Everyone of the staff was super! I always felt like I was the only patient in the hospital, I always felt my needs were their number one priority."

Christine McKelvie is public relations director of Yampa Valley Medical Center. She can be reached at christine.mckelvie@yvmc.org.