Methodist Recognized for Medical Excellence and Patient Safety

Peoria, IL (May 29, 2009) - Methodist Medical Center has received four national quality awards for both medical excellence and patient safety from The Delta Group, a leading healthcare information services and consulting company. The Delta Group recognized Methodist in its CareChex 2009 release of America's Top Quality Hospitals.

For overall medical excellence on a national level, Methodist ranked 138th in the nation and for major orthopedic surgery, Methodist was rated higher than 98 percent of all surveyed hospitals across the country.

Methodist also earned a national award in patient safety for overall hospital care and overall surgical care.

In addition to the national awards, Methodist ranked number one in Central Illinois for medical excellence in overall hospital care, overall medical care, overall surgical care, major orthopedic surgery, cancer care, and respiratory care. In the category of patient safety, Methodist was rated number one in Central Illinois for overall hospital care and overall surgical care.

Methodist president and CEO Michael Bryant said, "Quality and patient safety are essential to our mission of delivering outstanding healthcare--period. We are very proud of our number one ranking in this area, which is based on an independent analysis of data from all the hospitals. It confirms that we are doing the right things at Methodist."

About Methodist

Methodist Medical Center of Illinois includes a 353-bed hospital in the heart of Peoria. Founded in 1900, Methodist provides a full range of services, with almost 600 board-certified physicians backed by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals who combine high-tech medicine with genuine warmth and caring.

A recognized leader in healthcare in central Illinois, Methodist commitment to outstanding healthcare has earned a national reputation. Methodist is the only hospital in downstate Illinois with Joint Commission Disease Specific Certification for heart attack, heart failure, stroke, pneumonia, hip and knee replacement, and sleep disorders. Methodist is also the first hospital in downstate Illinois to be awarded Magnet designation for Excellence in Nursing Services, the nation's highest honor in patient care. For more information, go to www.mymethodist.net.

About The Delta Group

The Delta Group is a leading healthcare information services and consulting company dedicated to providing an extensive array of products and services designed to measure, manage, and monitor the clinical, financial, and market performance of healthcare organizations. Our vision is simple: to see healthcare organizations achieve and maintain superior performance. Our mission is as broad as necessary and as narrow as possible-to assist clients in the interpretation, application, and implementation of findings which are catalysts for effecting meaningful change. This approach has proven to be the key to successful change management; whether in reducing clinical costs, improving medical quality, or redefining market strategy. For more information, go to www.thedeltagroup.com.