Why would anyone complain about our hospital, a letter writer asks. In the letter on this page, she tells of the excellent care she received during a four-day stay at Ottumwa Regional Health Center. From the nurses to the doctor to housekeeping personnel, she was more than satisfied with the quality of her care.

That just adds to the good feelings ORHC president and CEO Tom Siemers has had these past few months.

He told the Courier this week that it was his goal when he started his new job last year to have patient satisfaction ratings in the top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation.

That goal has been met, and then some.

New figures show that inpatient satisfaction has gone from 78 percent in 2007 to 98 percent. Outpatient figures increased from 57 to 91 percent.

Siemers credited the rise in ratings to his staff of nearly 1,000 hospital employees and volunteers.

On Monday, ORHC staff and volunteers celebrated their commitment to improvement with a barbecue celebration on the hospital grounds.

All employees were required to sign an agreement to conduct themselves in a certain way and uphold certain standards.

The requirement makes everyone accountable, Siemers said, and with the results of the new preliminary satisfaction rate figures, it seems to be working.

From personally taking visitors or customers to places they need to be in the hospital to thanking patients for choosing Ottumwa Regional, staff members and volunteers continue their commitment to excellence.

And, that’s one thing ORHC officials want to continue, to keep going forward and to keep improving communications and care with patients.

With patients positively answering post-ORHC visit surveys, hospital leaders can see how well the hospital is succeeding. They and the staff members plan to keep up and keep improving that care and commitment.

And, we’re sure ORHC wants to hear from you on how they can continue to make improvements.