Evergreen Hospital Medical Center was recently recognized as a top Maternity Care hospital for the sixth consecutive year by HealthGrades. Only 218 hospitals in the United States received the five-star rating. HealthGrades has found that best-performing hospitals have far fewer complications compared with lower ranked facilities.

The study findings noted that if all hospitals performed at the level of Evergreen and the other top-ranked facilities, there would be fewer maternity complications. The top hospitals had 56 percent lower weight neonatal mortality.

“We believe in working with our patients and physicians to provide the best possible outcomes,” said Evergreen CEO Steve Brown. “To have our baby-friendly Family Maternity Center once again recognized as one of the best in the nation just reaffirms our commitment to excellence. I couldn’t be prouder of our maternity center and all the staff who truly make it the fine program it is!”

Earlier this year Evergreen was ranked among the top five percent of the hospitals nationwide and given the HealthGrades 2009 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence. Nearly 5,000 hospitals were included in the study. It was the only Seattle area hospital to receive the HealthGrades General Surgery Excellence Award.

More information about Evergreen Hospital Medical Center and Evergreen Healthcare can be found at www.evergreenhealthcare.org.