WARRENTON, VA. - Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton has been formally designated by Planetree, Inc. as a "Planetree designated patient-centered hospital" for the second time in three years. This designation recognizes Fauquier Hospital's achievement and innovation in fostering a culture within the hospital in which professional caregivers partner with patients and families, and where patient comfort, dignity, empowerment and well-being are prioritized with providing top-quality clinical care.

To become a designated Planetree patient-centered hospital, Fauquier Hospital was asked to demonstrate that specific patient-centered policies have been sustained over time. Designation status further requires the hospital to meet or exceed national performance benchmarks for quality and patient satisfaction.

Three years ago, Fauquier Hospital was among the first five hospitals nationwide to achieve the designation (which is awarded for a three-year term). This re-designation recognizes Fauquier Hospital's sustained excellence in patient-centered care. Today, Fauquier remains the only designated patient-centered hospital in Virginia, and one of only eleven in all of North America.
Rodger Baker, president and CEO of Fauquier Hospital was delighted about the designation. "It was a long and enlightening journey to achieve Planetree designation in 2007. It required a complete culture change in every department. Our next challenge was to maintain that culture and continue to innovate and improve our patients' experience. This Planetree designation offers affirmation that we are delivering on the challenge."

The designation criteria are based largely on direct patient feedback, in which patients across the country shared what is most important to them during hospitalization. The criteria cover both quality of care and the ways in which that care is delivered, addressing patient-provider interactions, access to information, family involvement, the physical environment, food and nutrition, spirituality, arts and entertainment and integrative therapies. In addition, the criteria focus on how the hospital is supporting its staff, opportunities for staff to have a voice in the way care is delivered, and the ways that the hospital is reaching beyond its walls to care for its community.

Guided by these core components of a patient-centered culture, over the past eleven years Fauquier Hospital has implemented a substantial number of initiatives and practices designed to enhance both the patient and staff experience. When Fauquier Hospital was renovated in 2001, it was designed with Planetree principles in mind. The use of space, light and design taken directly from nature resulted in a beautiful facility that is more reminiscent of an elegant hotel than a traditional hospital. Artwork on the walls and soothing music in the hallways welcome visitors; smiling and friendly staff and volunteers offer support at every turn.

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