J.D. Power and Associates Reports:
Catawba Valley Medical Center Recognized for Providing an Outstanding Inpatient Experience for a Third Consecutive Year

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 27 April 2010 - Catawba Valley Medical Center, located in Hickory, N.C., has been recognized for service excellence for a third consecutive year under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program.^SM This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by Catawba Valley Medical Center to provide "An Outstanding Inpatient Experience."

"In achieving inpatient certification for a third consecutive year, Catawba Valley Medical Center has continuously demonstrated a commitment to providing an outstanding patient experience," said Kevin Lieb, senior director of provider programs at J.D. Power and Associates.

The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying recently discharged patients from Catawba Valley Medical Center about their perceptions of their hospital stay and comparing the results to the national benchmarks established in the annual J.D. Power and Associates National Hospital Service Performance Study.^SM

The telephone-based research conducted among Catawba Valley Medical Center patients focuses on the five key drivers of patient satisfaction with their overall experience. These drivers, which were identified in the national study, are speed and efficiency; dignity and respect; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support.

Catawba Valley Medical Center exceeds the national benchmark study score for inpatient satisfaction and performs particularly well, compared with the national study, in treating patients with dignity and respect. The hospital receives notably high ratings for courtesy of the doctors and nurses.

The hospital also performs well relative to the national study among inpatients in providing emotional support, particularly for the treatment of family and friends.

More than 70 percent of surveyed patients of Catawba Valley Medical Center say they intend to return to the facility if needed, while 64 percent of patients say they would recommend the facility to family and friends. More than one-third of patients say they have much more trust and confidence in the hospital after their most recent stay.

"I commend our staff and physicians for their commitment to maintaining a consistently high quality of care at Catawba Valley Medical Center, as measured by the people we serve," said J. Anthony Rose, president and CEO of Catawba Valley Medical Center. "This recognition is a true demonstration of our approach to patient care, and we could not be more pleased to receive it."

Nongovernmental, acute-care hospitals throughout the nation are eligible for the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital recognition for inpatient, maternity, cardiovascular, emergency and outpatient services. Distinction is valid for one year, after which time the hospital may reapply for this recognition.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a global information and education company providing knowledge, insights and analysis in the financial, education and business information sectors through leading brands including Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts, and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2009 were $5.95 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.