Patients and families are becoming much savvier when it comes to making their health care decisions. Many are turning to the Internet to learn more about their local health care providers and the services available in their own community.

Healthgrades® is a leading provider of information to help consumers make informed decisions about physicians and hospitals. Recently, Healthgrades released its American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: Healthgrades Report to the Nation, which includes an in-depth evaluation of 4,500 hospitals nationwide, comparing approximately 30 of the most common medical conditions and treatment procedures.

Based on its findings, Healthgrades recognized Holland Hospital with its 2013 Joint Replacement Excellence Award. “This designation has been achieved through a very deliberate and focused effort by Holland Hospital to develop a joint replacement program that delivers the very highest quality, service, outcomes and patient satisfaction,” says Chief Nursing Officer Patti VanDort, vice president of nursing.

The hospital also received Five-Star rankings on:

• Overall orthopedic services
• Total hip replacement
• Total knee replacement
• Back and neck surgery
• Spine surgery

For overall quality and patient satisfaction, Holland Hospital received Healthgrades’ Outstanding Patient Experience Award for the fourth consecutive year.

Healthgrades independently measures hospitals based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government. No hospital can opt in or out of the analysis, and no hospital pays to be measured. For more information, see healthgrades.com/quality.