Well-above average ratings on patient surveys
By Will Collette
Another ranking service released its findings, and three area hospitals did well. Healthgrades put out their 2025 ranking on patient experience, largely based on patient surveys, for Westerly Hospital along with its parent Yale New Haven, South County Hospital and Newport were the three hospitals in the state to receive 2025 Outstanding Patient Experience Awards.
While patient satisfaction is an important metric, the rankings on based on the results of surveys turned in by patients. Other metrics, such as the recently released ranking on patient safety, use harder, less subjective data to do their scoring. Still, since all hospitals are scored under the same system, the resulting comparisons are valid.
Westerly Hospital arose from its near-death experience when
it became part of the Yale-New Haven hospital system. Significantly improved
metrics show how valuable that affiliation as been. On a personal note, I've been a
satisfied patient myself after a couple of cataract operations there in the past few
weeks.
Embattled South County Hospital management may try to take some solace from these new ratings, breaking a cycle of bad news. But from my perspective, again after having been a patient there, I see the patient satisfaction ranking as an appreciation for the hospital staff.
When I turned in my most recent patient survey, I lavished
praise on the staff but added comments lambasting million-dollar South County
CEO Aaron Robinson and the SCH board for their callous response to criticisms
from staff and patients. I singled out SCH’s decision to bring a SLAPP suit to stifle that criticism rather than negotiate in good faith.
Robinson needs to go if South County is to return to its
longtime place as one of the best hospitals in New England. Until then, it’s
still a very bumpy ride.
