15 QHR Hospital Clients Receive National Recognition at Avatar Awards

Fifteen QHR hospital clients were recognized at Avatar International's annual conference held in Orlando, Fla., in May. The hospitals received a combined 18 national awards for their successes in the areas of quality and innovation.

Brentwood, TN (PRWEB) June 16, 2008 -- Fifteen QHR hospital clients were recognized at Avatar International's annual conference held in Orlando, Fla., in May. The hospitals received a combined 18 national awards for their successes in the areas of quality and innovation.

"QHR's client hospitals expend significant amounts of time, energy and money in improving their processes and procedures, so that they can better serve their patients," said QHR President and CEO James L. Horrar. "We are so proud of each of our winning clients. To be recognized as being among the best of the best nationwide is an incredible achievement."

"QHR hospitals, and QHR itself, are to be commended for the excellent service provided to their patients, family members and communities as a whole. As evidenced by these hard-earned awards, QHR hospitals are setting the standard for all of healthcare," said Dr. Michael Everett, CEO of Avatar International LLC and former healthcare advisor to the President and Congress through the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality.

Among the awards presented by Avatar were six Exemplary Service awards, which are given to hospitals that achieve Exemplary Service ratings for Inpatient, Outpatient, Ambulatory Surgery and Emergency Department surveys. QHR client hospitals receiving Exemplary Service Awards included:
1. Georgetown Memorial Hospital, Exemplary Service (Overall Best Performer, Top Twelve);
2. Northwestern Medical Center, Exemplary Service (Overall Best Performer, Top Twelve);
3. Phelps Memorial Health Center, Exemplary Service (Overall Best Performer, Top Twelve); and
4. Waccamaw Community Hospital, Exemplary Service (Overall Best Performer, Top Twelve),
5. Habersham County Medical Center, Exemplary Service (Most Improved) for its Physician Office Achievements;
6. Habersham County Medical Center, Exemplary Service (Most Improved Loyalty and Endorsement) for its Physician Office Achievements.

In addition, six Five Star Service Awards were presented to QHR client hospitals, including:    
1. Alleghany Memorial Hospital in the area of ambulatory surgery;
2. Fort Madison Community Hospital (Loyalty and Endorsement) in the area of obstetrics;
3. Macon County General Hospital for its Inpatient Services;
4. Millinocket Regional Hospital in the area of Emergency Department Services;
5. Parkview Medical Center (Loyalty and Endorsement), for its Inpatient Services; and
6. Waccamaw Community Hospital (Loyalty and Endorsement) for its Outpatient Services.

Finally, six QHR client hospitals received Avatar's Innovation Award, which is given to hospitals that have documented the benefits of an innovative practice that is sustainable over time and can be replicated by other healthcare providers. Winners in this category included:
1. Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Medical Imaging/Mammography;
2. Gonzales Healthcare System, Waelder Medical Clinic;
3. Gritman Medical Center, Total Rewards Program;
4. Matagorda County Hospital District, Women's Services;
5. Montrose Memorial Hospital, San Juan Cancer Center;
6. Waccamaw Community Hospital, Laboratory.

Avatar is an international research and consulting group that specializes in Intelligent Surveys™ and Innovative Strategies that transform information into significant improvements in quality and efficiency in U.S. hospitals. In addition to conducting surveys, Avatar also actively engages hospitals in process improvement, including training in service quality. Its annual awards program is based on the results of the hospitals' 2007 patient surveys.

QHR is a family of brands that has provided consulting, management and education resources to hospitals and health systems for three decades. QHR Management Services is the dominant market leader in hospital management resources, with nearly 170 current multi-year clients across the United States. QHR Consulting Services is among the 15 largest healthcare management consulting firms in the United States, with more than 150 consultants providing financial, operational and strategic support to hospitals. Each year, the QHR Learning Institute trains more than 8,000 healthcare professionals to achieve business goals by improving their leadership and management capabilities. For more information, go to www.qhr.com.

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