Consumers in Northwest Florida have chosen Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola as the area's most preferred hospital and the one with the best overall quality and reputation.

The top rating by consumers in Escambia and Santa Rose counties earned Sacred Heart recognition as winner of the 2009 Consumer Choice Award from National Research Corporation.   The annual award, announced in the October 12 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine, is based on independent surveys conducted by NRC in 300 markets around the country.   A total of 280 healthcare facilities were given nationwide.

This is the 14th year that NRC has recognized hospitals that rank the highest in their metropolitan areas.  In the Pensacola area, Sacred Heart has ranked No. 1 in consumer preference for each of those 14 years.

"This award reflects our success in providing high quality care and consistently striving to improve," said Patrick J. Madden, president and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System.  "The favorable perception of Sacred Heart is a direct result of the dedication and quality care provided by our physicians, nurses, and the entire staff of our hospital."

     Area residents ranked Sacred Heart as the leader in overall quality by a wide margin - more than 2-1 -- over the nearest competing hospital. Sacred Heart also was rated by area health care consumers as their top choice for: 

. Best doctors
. Best nurses
. Patient safety
. Latest technology and
. Most personalized care

The survey was an internet-based questionnaire which respondents received through email invitations. The surveys were completed by 434 area residents.

"Dedication to providing high quality healthcare has become essential for all hospitals," said Ginny Martin, president of NRC's Ticker Division. "In the face of adversity, these Consumer Choice award winners exemplify the dedication it takes to provide quality healthcare to their communities. We are pleased to honor them."

NRC's Healthcare Market Guide is the nation's largest and most comprehensive study of its kind. Results are carefully tabulated and analyzed to ensure that they reflect the views of citizens in the local communities that are surveyed. The study surveyed more than 250,000 households representing over 450,000 consumers in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.

About Sacred Heart
Key services of Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola include a 466-bed hospital in Pensacola, a Regional Heart and Vascular Institute, Children's Hospital, Women's Hospital, a Level II Trauma Center, Cancer Center, Stroke Center, a 120-bed nursing home and a large regional network of primary care and specialty doctors. Sacred Heart is part of Ascension Health, the nation's largest system of not-for-profit health care facilities.
For more information, call (850) 416-7000 or visit online at www.sacred-heart.org.