I recently agonized with replacing my left hip, long delayed mainly due to my own stupidity but most recently postponed by covid-19.

The surgery was scheduled for April 15, but finally got it done May 6 at Dr. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, FL.

Having had surgeries including my other hip, I think I have perspective on how hospital stays should go. Suffice it to say, my most recent visit was my best, thanks largely to the wonderful patient-driven service experience of both Dr. Phillips Hospital and my own doc, Eric Bonenberger, MD.

Covid-19 caused my surgery to be cancelled. Frankly, I was stunned that it was rescheduled as early as May 6.

My guess: Some patients ahead of me in line decided to take a mulligan as opposed to risking elective surgery in a pandemic.

I HAVE NO IDEA what a “concierge hospital experience” is. However, my visit to Dr. Phillips Hospital in Orlando would be an easy one by which to measure it.

I was rear-ended in 2014 and went through 3 surgeries at 3 hospitals, 1 completed by a “concierge-style” doctor. He has 1 employee and does not take insurance. Cash and assigned insurance settlements is how he chooses to run his practice.

This most recent replacement was my best experience ever. Whether it was the crystal clean floors, private room, sequestered computer stations, wifi or fabulous food with loads of choices on call, I couldn’t say more about this hospital.

A fabulous chicken parmesan was my final meal there. I wanted to inquire about extending my stay.

A hospital experience should not be judged by the stay but the long-term results.

In my previous book, “It’s the Customer, Stupid!” (John Wiley & Sons), I called out countless industries for their misdoings in the way they treat their customers.

Dear medical community: PATIENTS ARE CUSTOMERS TOO!

Several publishers have stepped up to a proposal for a sequel, “It’s the Patient, Stupid!” directed to the medical community.

This new “patient-relationship” book was spawned by several poor patient experiences, one of which I received over a decade ago when I had the right hip replaced.

To this day, that hip has never healed correctly and is a constant source of pain, the reason for my procrastination about the left hip. Pain won out and I proceeded to have the left hip done with specific caveats: A new doctor and a different hospital.

If nothing else, I may write a book about positive patient cares. I’ll keep you posted. Michael Aun, CSP, CPAE is author of the Customer Service book “Have I Gotta Beg To Buy?” (Royal Publishing)