J.D. Power and Associates Reports:
Forrest General Hospital Recognized for Providing Outstanding Cardiovascular Experience
For a Second Consecutive Year

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 13 October 2010 — Forrest General Hospital has been recognized for service excellence for a second consecutive year under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program.^SM This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by Forrest General Hospital to provide “An Outstanding Cardiovascular Experience.”

“Forrest General’s tremendous accomplishment reflects this hospital’s passion for promoting a positive customer experience,” said John Clark, director of the Distinguished Hospital Program at J.D. Power and Associates. “Very few hospitals achieve this distinction in cardiovascular services, so everyone on the team—nurses, physicians and other staff—has reason to celebrate their success.”

The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying recently discharged patients about their perceptions of their hospital visit 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 Forrest General Hospital patients focuses on the five key drivers of patient satisfaction with their overall inpatient experience. These drivers, which were identified in the national study, are speed and efficiency; dignity and respect; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support.

Forrest General Hospital exceeds the national benchmark study score for cardiovascular patient satisfaction and performs particularly well, compared with the national study, in providing patients with dignity and respect. The hospital receives particularly high ratings for the respect for patient privacy.

The hospital also performs well in providing patients with comfort, particularly for concern for continued recovery and the nurses’ concern for controlling pain.

Seventy-seven percent of Forrest General Hospital patients surveyed say they would likely return to the facility if needed, while 75 percent say they would recommend the facility to friends and family.

“We are honored to receive this award from J.D. Power and Associates for a second consecutive year in recognition of Forrest General’s cardiovascular services,” said Evan Dillard, Forrest General president and CEO. “This award defines Forrest General’s culture of patient care, and is a true recognition of the hard work that occurs in our cardiovascular services areas and throughout each area of our organization to ensure that each patient we serve receives the latest technology available, and also has a positive patient experience—from the moment they come through our doors to the moment they are discharged to go home.”

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/.