MUSC Medical Center Earns 10th Consecutive Consumer Choice Award

CHARLESTON -- The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has been recognized by the National Research Corporation (NRC) as one of the nation's top hospitals as a 2007-08 Consumer Choice Award winner.

Due to the extensive amount of consumer responses contained in NRC's study, it is widely known as the most comprehensive consumer assessment of the health care industry. Each year, NRC honors those hospitals which consumers rate as having the best quality and image, based on its nationally syndicated NRC Healthcare Market Guide study of more than 200,000 households.

In the Charleston area, the MUSC Medical Center received a Consumer Choice Award for best overall quality, best doctors, best nurses and best image. According to additional NRC data, the Medical Center ranked high as most preferred for all health needs, most personalized care, best community health programs, latest technology and equipment, widest range of services, hospital web site used most often, highest patient safety and best accommodations.

Regarding specific services, the MUSC Medical Center also ranked highest in the Charleston market as the most preferred hospital for heart care, cancer treatment, bariatric surgery, hospital emergency room, hospital inpatient stay, imaging services, mental health services, neurology, orthopedic treatment/ surgery, maternity/OB, pediatric services, women's GYN, outpatient testing/X-rays, outpatient/same-day surgery, physical therapy, plastic surgery, senior services and transplant.

The Consumer Choice award reflects the growing role consumers are playing in the health care field. Because a host of factors enter into choices made by consumers, the criteria by which winners are named reflects a composite score for multiple consumer image and preference ratings.

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 10,000 employees, including 1,300 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $1.3 billion. MUSC operates a 600-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital and a leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit www.musc.edu or www.muschealth.com.

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