Evergreen Hospital Medical Center has been ranked among the nation’s top five percent of hospitals according to an independent study of mortality and complication rates by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company. Nearly 5,000 hospitals were included in the study.

Evergreen Hospital has achieved the HealthGrades’ 2010 Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award. Only 269 non-federal hospitals received this distinction.

Evergreen is the only King County hospital to achieve this honor. Only two hospitals in the state received the award. This is the second consecutive year Evergreen has been named a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence.

“Our nurses, physicians, technicians and staff demonstrate their high level of expertise, dedication and caring each and every day to all our patients.” said Steve Brown, Evergreen CEO. “We are very proud to once again be recognized by HealthGrades for our clinical excellence.”

HealthGrades reviewed approximately 40 million hospitalization records in its annual study. Complete information is available at www.healthgrades.com. More information about Evergreen Hospital Medical Center and Evergreen Healthcare can be found at www.evergreenhospital.org.