10/25/2005

Jewish Hospital “Consumer Choice” Winner for an Unprecedented Seventh Consecutive Year

Consumers name Jewish Hospital the most preferred hospital in overall quality and image

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—In a survey conducted by an independent organization, consumers in Louisville have named Jewish Hospital the most preferred hospital in overall quality and image an unprecedented seven times. 

The survey identifies hospitals, which health care consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image throughout the United States according to National Research Corporation (NRC).  In addition to Jewish Hospital, other prominent hospitals receiving the Consumer Choice Award include The Cleveland Clinic, Emory University Hospital, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and JFK Medical Center.  No other hospital in Kentucky has received this award for seven consecutive years.

“Jewish Hospital is always looking beyond the horizon to the latest innovation in health care so that we can bring our patients the very latest technological advances with the gentleness of spirit that only human nature can provide and that’s what sets us apart,” said Tim Jarm, president and CEO of Jewish Hospital.  “ We’re truly honored that health care consumers recognize the dedication and hard work of all of our employees, nurses and physicians.”

National Research Corporation (NRC), widely known as the nation’s most comprehensive consumer assessment of the health care industry, conducted the 2005/06 Healthcare Market Guide study based on quality and image of hospitals and health care systems.  The study surveyed over 200,000 households representing 400,000 consumers in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.

The 2005/06 Healthcare Market Guide is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive study of its kind.  No other study used to measure hospital performance and preferences contains more consumer responses than NRC’s study.  The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.2 percent at a national level.

NRC Chief Executive Officer Michael D. Hays said winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s annual NRC Healthcare Market Guide study.  Of the 3,000 hospitals named by consumers in the study, the winning facilities rank highest in the Metropolitan Statistical Areas they serve.

“Consumers play an increasing role in selecting their health care facilities and services,” Hays said.  “As more health care quality information is made publicly available, we expect this trend to increase.  These organizations are selected for the Consumer Choice Awards by the community residents they serve.  We are pleased to honor these facilities for their leadership in the delivery of quality health care.”

Jewish Hospital is an internationally renowned high-tech tertiary referral center, developing leading-edge advancements in hand and microsurgery, heart and lung care, home care, rehab medicine (including sports medicine), orthopaedics, neuroscience, occupational health, organ transplantation, outpatient care and primary care. Jewish Hospital is the site of the world’s first and the nation's second successful hand transplants in partnership with the University of Louisville and Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center. The hospital is also the site of the world’s first and second successful AbioCor® Implantable Replacement Hearts, has achieved Magnet nursing designation and is federally designated to perform all five solid organ transplants–heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas. U.S. News & World Report recently recognized Jewish Hospital as one of the “Best 50 Hospitals” in the areas of orthopaedic and heart and heart surgery care. Jewish Hospital was also named a “Top 100 Hospital” in the nation in cardiovascular excellence by Solucient.

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	Louisville area consumers name Jewish Hospital “Consumer Choice”