Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute Receives 2021 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award

Today, Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute announced it has been named a 2021 Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey, the national leader in health care consumer and workforce engagement.

Press Ganey recognizes Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute as a top-performing health care organization achieving the 95th percentile or above for performance in patient experience.

The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a preeminent, competitive achievement for leading health care organizations. Presented annually, the award honors hospitals and health systems that consistently sustained performance in the top 5% of all Press Ganey clients.

“Press Ganey is honored to recognize Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute as one of the nation’s leaders in patient experience,” said Patrick T. Ryan, chairman and chief executive officer, Press Ganey. “This award reflects an unwavering commitment to earn the trust and loyalty of patients throughout unimaginable challenges. We are humbled by Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute’s incredible efforts, and their ability to adapt to imperatives of COVID-19 on top of the increasing demand for consumerism in health care.”

This is the first year Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute has received the award since its opening in September 2019. Patients were surveyed on overall rating of care, staff teamwork, and likelihood to recommend.

“I really can’t say enough about the staff at the Rehab Institute,” patient Tony Torchia said. “They are the friendliest, most knowledgeable staff I’ve been around. They really care about their patients. Not once did I feel like I wasn’t getting expert treatment, and I felt very safe.”

“Everyone at the Rehabilitation Institute treated me like family,” patient Marty Beasley said. “People there really care, and I saw the difference. Instead of being known as a birthday and a full name, they referred to me by my nickname and would wave and ask me how I was doing each time I went down the hall. The bedside manner was the only thing that kept me going.”

Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute appointed a multidisciplinary committee to collaborate on patient satisfaction needs and process improvements. Other steps taken include implementing hourly safety rounds and a new mobility lead position to focus on increasing patient mobility and daily living activities. Managers engage and support all employees in participating in the continuous improvement process.

“Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute is committed to providing expert, compassionate care for the whole person,” said Bobby Olm-Shipman, president and CEO of Saint Luke’s South and East Region. “We are pleased to accept this award and will continue striving to provide the best patient experience.”

Olm-Shipman further explained that Press Ganey’s Guardian of Excellence Award demonstrates that the Kansas City-area community can receive top-rated care close to home.

Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute is the only comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program of its kind in the Kansas City region. The state-of-the-art destination facility helps patients recover from stroke, brain, spine, cardiovascular, trauma, pulmonary, and orthopedic conditions. The institute’s specially trained team of experts leverage the nation’s most leading-edge technology, equipment, research, and advanced therapies to help patients regain function and independence.

Learn more about Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute.