Sacred Heart named top hospital by area consumers

National Research Corporation (NRC) has named Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola as one of the nation's top-rated hospitals recognized with the 2006 Consumer Choice Award.

For the 8th consecutive year, NRC gave the Consumer Choice Award to Sacred Heart based on the results of a nationwide survey in which consumers rate hospitals in 186 markets. The survey shows that Pensacola area residents rank Sacred Heart Health System as the region's most preferred hospital.

By a margin of more than 2-1, residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties chose Sacred Heart as the health care organization offering: Best overall quality Best doctors Best nurses Latest technology

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In this year's NRC survey, Sacred Heart also was ranked No. 1 in local consumers' ratings of specific hospital services such as women's services, cardiac services, children's services, cancer care and orthopedic services.

NRC's consumer study is the largest and most comprehensive of its kind. With more than 200,000 households surveyed nationwide, it is the nation's most reliable study of consumer perceptions of health care. The NRC survey results, drawn from responses to a written questionnaire, are carefully tabulated and analyzed to ensure that the results reflect the views of citizens in the community.

Winners of the NRC Consumer Choice Awards around the country can be found at www.nationalresearch.com.

"Our selection for eight consecutive years as winner of the Consumer Choice Award is really a tribute to all who work at Sacred Heart, especially our physicians and nurses," said Patrick J. Madden, president and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System. "We are grateful that consumers of this region have again selected Sacred Heart as the region's top-ranked provider of quality health care."

"Consumers play an increasing role in selecting their healthcare facilities and services," said Michael Hays, NRC's chief executive officer. "We are pleased to honor these facilities for their dedication to quality healthcare in the eyes of their patients."

For more information about Sacred Heart Health System, call (850) 416-7000 or visit online at www.sacred-heart.org.