Contact: Suzanne Hornor, UHC Public Relations, (304) 624-2912

Study Places United Hospital Center in Top 5% Nationally for Clinical Excellence
Patients at HealthGrades Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence Have 12-20% Better Survival Rates for Common Procedures and Diagnoses

Clarksburg, W.Va. - United Hospital Center announced today that a new national study by HealthGrades places it among the top five percent in the U.S. for clinical quality performance. As a result, HealthGrades, the nation's leading independent healthcare quality company, has recognized United Hospital Center with the 2005 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical ExcellenceTM.

The HealthGrades study identifies the highest-quality hospitals in the nation in terms of clinical excellence by analyzing federal Medicare patient data for 28 common medical procedures and diagnoses, from hip replacement to bypass surgery. United Hospital Center is one of only 229 hospitals in the country to qualify for the recognition in the study, which is officially titled the HealthGrades 2005 Study of Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence.

"Saving and improving the lives of people in this community is the top priority of our physicians, nurses and staff," said Bruce Carter, president of UHC. "As an objective third party, HealthGrades has found that we're not only achieving our goal, but performing in elite company nationwide. We are very proud of this recognition because it is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of the associates and physicians who work at UHC."

According to the HealthGrades study, Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence have markedly better mortality and complication rates, even though they tend to treat more and sicker patients. Nationally, for example, the improved survival rates at Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence were 12.62 percent better for heart attack (in hospitals where angioplasty and stent treatments were available) and 19.55 percent better for community acquired pneumonia.

"There is clearly a difference in the quality of care available, and for patients and families in our community, this is good news," said Carter. "It means that at United Hospital Center, patients with serious conditions and complex diagnoses are much more likely to survive and thrive as a result of their hospital stay."

In its 2005 study, HealthGrades independently and objectively analyzed Medicare patient records from fiscal years 2001-03, for 28 medical procedures and diagnoses. To qualify for the list, hospitals were required to meet minimum thresholds in terms of patient volumes, quality ratings and the range of services provided (see attached methodology paper for details). Hospitals with risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates that scored in the top five percent or better nationally - which demonstrates superior overall clinical performance - were then recognized as Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence.

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About United Hospital Center

As the fifth largest hospital in West Virginia and one of the largest employers in Harrison County, United Hospital Center (UHC) is a focal point for health care and employment in Harrison and surrounding counties. UHC provides a wide range of services including cardiology, oncology, emergency medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, rehabilitation, geriatric care, and comprehensive diagnostic services. Additionally, UHC serves as a teaching facility with an accredited program in radiologic technology and ultrasound as well as a family medicine residency and, in conjunction with WVU, an emergency medicine residency. The hospital's wellness arm - The Health Connection - focuses on prevalent health problems for area residents: heart disease, diabetes and asthma. UHC has the distinction of being one of the lowest cost hospitals in West Virginia and was recognized in 2004 as being one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation on the Community Value Index by William Cleverley & Associates, an Ohio-based healthcare financial strategy firm. UHC, along with West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown, W.Va., is a founding member of the West Virginia United Health System.