Whidbey General Hospital received a 2013 Press Ganey Associates, Inc. Guardian of Excellence Award for its Home Health Care department.

The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing facilities in patient satisfaction, specifically those which consistently achieved the 95th percentile. It also considers employee engagement, physician engagement and clinical quality.

The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a health care industry symbol of achievement. Fewer than 5 percent of all Press Ganey clients reach this threshold and consistently maintain it for the one-year reporting period. Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 health care facilities, including more than half of all hospitals in the United States of America, to measure and improve the patient experience.

“We are proud to partner with Whidbey General,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO of Press Ganey in a news release from Whidbey General Hospital. “Achieving this level of excellence reflects the organization’s commitment to delivering outstanding service and quality. Whidbey General’s efforts benefit patients on Whidbey Island and will lead to improved patient experiences.”

Tom Tomasino, Whidbey General Hospital president, said the award represents an important recognition from the industry’s leader in measuring, understanding and improving the patient experience.

“Individuals who require treatment in the home are among our most vulnerable patients,” Tomasino said in the news release. “It is important that they receive the highest quality care possible.”

Whidbey General Hospital’s Home Health Care has provided support and services to assist patients recovering from an illness, injury or surgery for more than 30 years. Home Health services are offered to patients who would find it difficult to receive skilled care away from home.