June 25, 2008

UAB Hospital. Download image.

• Rank includes consumer, performance measures

• U.S. finalist honor follows quarterly award

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB Hospital has been selected as one of 12 U.S. finalists for Hospital of the Year Award.

The selection was made by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers, which ranks accredited hospitals based on their consumer friendliness, medical performance and other professional standards.

"We are truly honored to be chosen among the top 12 hospitals, and we stand proudly among the finest medical centers in the nation," said  UAB Hospital CEO Michael Waldrum, M.D. "Being named a finalist acknowledges our pursuit of excellence, and our belief that patients should always be our first priority."

The alliance's highest scores are given to those who meet or exceed criteria outlined in the Hospital of Choice Awards, a consumer-choice ranking announced quarterly by the alliance. UAB Hospital earned the quarterly award earlier this year.

The award criteria include such things as a review of patient literature and hospital Web pages to assess their helpfulness. It also includes an analysis of steps taken to insure doctors and other healthcare providers communicate openly to patients so that treatment decisions are reached mutually.

The award also involves a review of hospital staff development, and a comparative look at data, such as the number of physicians, nurses, licensed beds and surgical procedures performed at each hospital.

The winner of the Hospital of the Year Award will be announced in August after every finalist has been visited by a member of the alliance's selection committee.