NGMC ranks best in Georgia

According to the Tenth Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, Northeast Georgia Medical Center ranks best in Georgia for Overall Cardiac Care, Cardiology Services and Cardiac Surgery. In addition, NGMC ranks among the top 5% in the nation for cardiac care and cardiac surgery and the top 10% for cardiology services. This is the third year in row NGMC has ranked number one in Overall Cardiac Care.

The study analyzed patient outcomes at virtually all of the nation's 5,000 hospitals over the years 2004, 2005 and 2006. Cardiac services are provided at the Ronnie Green Heart Center at NGMC.

The study also found that NGMC is five-star rated for: •Coronary Bypass Surgery; •Valve Replacement Surgery; •Coronary Interventional Procedures; •Treatment of Heart Attack; •Treatment of Heart Failure.

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