Riverwood housekeeping team members from left, front row: Laura Smith and Jennifer Rollinger; second row: Vicki Johnson-Sherbrooke and Noelle Oleson; 3rd row: Kirk Reither and April Baxley; and back row: Greg Carlson, Beth Schrupp and Tiffany Walker
Recently, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare announced a list of hospitals across the country that have earned a five-star rating for cleanliness, including Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Minn.
This report is produced based on patient satisfaction surveys issued and compiled by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS). This is a national, standardized survey of hospital patients about their experience during a recent inpatient stay. The surveys were completed between October 2022 and September 2023.
“At Riverwood Healthcare Center, our housekeeping staff is dedicated to maintaining a spotless hospital environment that supports the health and safety of our hospital patients,” explains April Baxley, environmental services manager. “Our staff uses a robust checklist to ensure they do not miss any key areas or high-touch points of contact, such as door handles, elevator buttons and light switches, during their regular cleaning rounds. This national hospital cleanliness rating is a testament to the outstanding work of our entire environmental services team.”
From left, Riverwood floor maintenance team members Todd Olesen, Christopher Nelsen and Steve Hammond
Rita Oaks, Riverwood patient and Patient and Family Advisory Council member, adds, “One of my first impressions of Riverwood was how clean it was everywhere. As a patient of multiple surgeries, I always feel confident that I am in a clean and safe environment. The housekeeping team does a phenomenal job making sure my hospital room is in tip top shape. Most importantly they take time to talk to me and genuinely care about my comfort and recovery.”
The survey is given to a random sample of adult patients between 2 and 42 days after discharge and includes 27 items, including cleanliness and quietness of the hospital environment. The results are published on the Care Compare website four times a year. The overall HCAHPS summary score is on a 5-star rating scale, with 4- and 5-star ratings being the best.
Eight other Minnesota hospitals earned this five-star rating for cleanliness, including Glacial Ridge Hospital (Glenwood), Mayo Clinic Health System-Fairmont, Olmsted Medical Center (Rochester), River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic (St. Peter), Stevens Community Medical Center (Morris), United Hospital District (Blue Earth), University Medical Center-Mesabi/Mesaba Clinics (Hibbing), and Welia Health (Mora).
The Riverwood housekeeping staff gathered for photos to celebrate the hospital cleanliness rating. Those not pictured include Bonnie Endicott, Shelby Gretschmann, Elizabeth Kemp, Roxanne Lassard, Cole Leikvoll, Jeanine McNevin, Karena Nelson and Dawn Taylor.