College of Health

Background: A multi-component arts initiative was instituted at a non-metropolitan, five-hospital healthcare system. This study examined whether patients’ satisfaction with the hospital arts-enhanced environment was associated with their likelihood to recommend the hospital.

Methods: A survey was mailed to a random sample of patients who had been discharged from the five hospitals between 2010 and 2012. Survey items included standard HCAHPS and other questions. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of patients’ likelihood to recommend.

Results: Patients’ ratings of the hospital’s arts environment significantly predicted their likelihood to recommend. Other predictors included demographic variables, provider characteristics, and room conditions.

Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to demonstrate that patients’ positive experiences with an arts-enhanced hospital environment are statistically predictive of a higher likelihood of recommending the hospital to others. Modest investment to develop an arts-enhanced environment is recommended for boosting HCAHPS scores and maximizing Medicare reimbursement rates.