The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has recently been recognized as a national leader in customer service and treatment options.
HUP is among 187 hospitals nationwide that received the 2004-05 Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation. The hospital, along with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City, is recognized as one of the area's top hospitals for consumers.
"I think this award is a testament to the dedication, hard work and teamwork of our doctors and professionals," said Al Black, chief operating officer of the hospital.
This year's NRC "Healthcare Market Guide" study surveyed over 140,000 households, representing 400,000 consumers in the continental United States.
Winners are determined by consumer perceptions of quality and image ratings collected in the NRC's annual study, which is the nation's most comprehensive consumer assessment of the health care industry.
Consumers rated 3,000 hospitals in the study. The winning facilities hold the highest rank in their "metropolitan statistical areas," as set by the U.S. Census Bureau.
"This award," Black said, "continues the proud tradition we have."
HUP has also been consistently recognized for its patient care in the U.S. News and World Report's "Best Hospitals in America" rankings, winning "honor roll" status for the past eight years. In addition, its staff is cited among Philadelphia Magazine's "Top Docs."
"We feel particularly honored to get public recognition," Black said. "We work hard."
HUP has been named a co-winner of the award with the TJU Hospital as far back as 2000.
"We're delighted for them as well," Black said.
Co-winners are named when scores fall within the statistical margin of error for a given market. The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.26 percent at a national level.
The 2004-05 "Healthcare Market Guide" is the nation's largest and most comprehensive study of its kind. No other study measuring hospital performance and consumer preferences incorporates as many consumer responses.
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