AnMed Health is one of only 269 hospitals ranked in the top 5 percent in the nation for patient outcomes in a study issued today by HealthGrades, the leading independent health care ratings organization. The comprehensive study analyzed 40 million hospitalization records from 5,000 hospitals from 2006 to 2008.

As a result of its top 5 percent ranking, AnMed Health has received the HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award. AnMed Health is the only hospital in South Carolina to receive this distinction.

“Our physicians and clinical staff have much to be proud of,” said Dr. Mike Tillirson, AnMed Health’s chief medical officer. “AnMed Health has maintained this ranking for three consecutive years. That’s an accomplishment few hospitals have achieved, and it shows that we’re fulfilling our vision of being celebrated as the gold standard for health care quality.”

According to the 8th annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence study, hospitals ranked in the top 5 percent in the nation had, as a group, better patient outcomes and were improving their outcomes at a faster rate than all other nonfederal hospitals.

A full copy of the study is available online at http://www.healthgrades.com