FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Date: May 22, 2008

 Contact:   Anthony Stahl
                 Director HR/Marketing
                 Howard Memorial Hospital
                 707-456-3101

Willits - In a recent nation-wide survey of health care facilities, Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital ranks among the top 10% in patient care. The release of HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey data places the facility in an elite top tier group of hospitals.

This survey is mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The intent of the HCAHPS initiative is to provide a standardized survey instrument and data collection methodology for measuring patients' perspectives on hospital care. While many hospitals currently collect information on patients' satisfaction with care, there has been no national standard for collecting or publicly reporting this information that would enable valid comparisons to be made across all hospitals. The HCAHPS data now allows Americans to compare hospitals with standard information.

Howard Hospital performed in the top ten percent on the following HCAHPS areas: Communication about Medicines, Willingness to Recommend Hospital, Cleanliness of the Hospital Environment, Discharge Information and Pain Management.

“What a tremendous honor to be ranked in this elite class,” stated Kevin Erich, president and CEO of Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital. “More importantly, this is an indication of our commitment to quality patient care. Our hospital and community can be proud of this achievement. I congratulate our staff and physicians for their outstanding performance and commend them for their devotion to improving the patient experience.”

Photo - Hospital Staff