Date of Conferral
2-1-2025
Degree
Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)
School
Management
Advisor
Matt Frederiksen-England
Abstract
Amid continuing mergers and/or acquisitions (M&As) of their institutions, U.S. hospital leaders have found it challenging to maintain favorable patient satisfaction Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to explore the correlation between patient satisfaction (identified as the “likelihood to recommend” metric) and “nurse communication” HCAHPS scores pre- and post-hospital M&As. Donabedian’s theoretical framework and triad model of structure, process, and outcomes within health care quality served as the foundation for the evaluation. HCAHPS and 2019 change of hospital ownership data were obtained from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. Utilizing hospital merger status and linear mean scores for the HCAHPS domains “likelihood to recommend” and “nurse communication”, data was analyzed by applying the ANCOVA method and regression of analysis. Research questions posed, sought to determine the possibility of correlation between “likelihood to recommend” and “nurse communication” when hospital mergers/acquisitions are involved. The assigned covariant consisted of pre-merger HCAHPS scores, with the dependent variable being comprised of post-merger HCAHPS scores. Non-merged hospitals were assigned as the control group for this analysis. Results indicated no statistical significance between the variables analyzed. This study is significant in that it may encourage awareness of the impact of M&As on patient satisfaction and nurse communication, encouraging trust and positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Sorrells, Shakeeya, "Patient Satisfaction and Nurse Communication Pre- and Posthospital Mergers and/or Acquisitions" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17258.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17258
