PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL  -- According to the Tenth Annual HealthGrades® Hospital Quality in America Study issued today, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center ranks among the top 5% in the nation for overall cardiac care and cardiology services and the top 10% for cardiac surgery and coronary interventional procedures.

The study, the largest of its kind, analyzed patient outcomes at virtually all of the nation's 5,000 hospitals over the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.

The study also found that Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center is 5-star rated for: Coronary Bypass Surgery, Coronary Interventional Procedures, Valve Replacement Surgery, Treatment of Heart Attack, Treatment of Heart Failure, Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, Total Hip Replacement, Hip Fracture Repair, Treatment of Stroke, Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Treatment of Pneumonia,Carotid Surgery, Treatment of Bowel Obstruction

"Quality patient care is our top priority," said David Pettit, CEO of PBGMC. "Recognition from an objective, independent source such as HealthGrades reflects the hard work that our physicians, nurses and staff perform every day to ensure that we provide the best care possible for our patients."

Based on the study, HealthGrades today made available its 2008 quality ratings for virtually every hospital in the country at www.healthgrades.com, a Web site designed to help individuals research and compare local healthcare providers.

The Tenth Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study identifies key trends in the quality of hospital-based care.  HealthGrades researchers analyzed Medicare discharges from virtually every U.S. hospital between 2004 and 2006.

Risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates were calculated and hospitals were assigned a 1-star (poor), 3-star (as expected), or 5-star (best) quality rating for 28 diagnoses and procedures from heart failure to hip replacement to pneumonia.  'Consumers routinely use quality ratings to comparison shop for cars, appliances and travel accommodations," said Sarah Loughran, HealthGrades executive vice president. 

"Our research provides patients with the information they need to make informed decisions about where to seek medical care, a decision that could mean the difference between life and death.  It is important for residents to know that they can find high-quality care at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center," Loughran added.

Among the study's key findings:

 ¥ Gaps persist between the 'best' and the 'worst' hospitals across all procedures and conditions studied. Five-star rated hospitals had statistically significantly lower risk-adjusted mortality across all three years studied.

¥ Across all procedures and conditions studied, there was an approximate 71 percent lower chance of dying in a 5-star rated hospital compared to a 1-star rated hospital.

¥ Across all procedures and conditions studied, there was an approximate 52 percent lower chance of dying in a 5-star rated hospital compared to the U.S. hospital average.

The 2008 HealthGrades ratings for all hospitals nationwide are available, free of charge, on the organization's award-winning consumer Web site, located at  www.healthgrades.com. 

 About Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center is a 199-bed acute-care medical and surgical facility serving the health care needs of Northern Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast for more than 38 years.

Specialty services include nationally recognized comprehensive cardiac care, orthopedics and joint replacement, 24-hour emergency services, outpatient surgery, cardiac and physical rehabilitation and diagnostic imaging.  For more information about PBGMC or for physician referral, call 561-625-5070.