LAKEWOOD, CO (October 12, 2004) – Delray Medical Center is ranked #1 in Florida and among the top five percent of all hospitals in the nation for cardiac and cardiology services, according to a new study released today by HealthGrades, a healthcare quality company.

Delray Medical Center ranks among the top five percent of hospitals in the nation for heart surgery and cardiac interventional procedures.  The hospital received the highest-possible, five-star ratings for coronary bypass surgery; valve replacement surgery; cardiac interventions (angioplasty and stents); and treatment of heart attack, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Delray Medical Center also received the highest-possible, five-star rating from HealthGrades for treatment of stroke, ranking among the Top 15% of hospitals nationally.

In orthopedics, Delray Medical Center received a five-star rating for hip fracture repair, again placing the hospital among the Top 15% in the nation for that procedure.

“We’re pleased and proud to be recognized with these outstanding HealthGrades quality ratings, which validate our commitment to clinical excellence,” said Mitch Feldman, CEO.  “Top ratings from an independent, objective national source demonstrate the quality care that our physicians, nurses and staff deliver to the patients and families in our community every day.”

As part of its seventh annual Hospital Quality in America Study, HealthGrades independently analyzed nearly 5,000 hospitals in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for its 2005 ratings, objectively assessing their clinical outcomes and quality.  The HealthGrades ratings measure whether patient outcomes for each of more than two dozen procedures and diagnoses are better than expected (5-Star), as expected (3-Star) or worse than expected (1-Star).

“HealthGrades objectively assesses and rates hospital performance in order to help consumers make better and more informed healthcare choices,” explained Sarah Loughran, HealthGrades executive vice president.  “With consumers having a greater stake in their healthcare purchasing decisions, it’s important for them to know that there is a tremendous difference in clinical quality outcomes between hospitals.

“In Florida, Delray Medical Center stands out notably in terms of delivering quality care for its cardiac, stroke and orthopedic patients,” Loughran added.  “Patients, families and employers here truly have access to healthcare that is among the best in the nation.”

The 2005 HealthGrades ratings for all hospitals nationwide are available, free of charge, on the web at www.healthgrades.com.  More than one million unique users and 125 major employers visit the HealthGrades web site every month to access quality information about hospitals, nursing homes and physicians.  HealthGrades also provides consumers and payers with detailed assessments of hospitals’ patient safety outcomes, based on indicators developed by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

About HealthGrades
Health Grades, Inc. (OTCBB: HGRD) is the leading independent healthcare quality company, providing ratings, information, and advisory services to healthcare providers, employers, health plans, and insurance companies. HealthGrades works with healthcare providers to help assess, improve and promote their quality. HealthGrades provides consumers access to information about the clinical quality and patient safety outcomes of healthcare providers and practitioners through its Web site and provides liability insurers, employers, and payers with critical information about healthcare quality and safety.

About Delray Medical Center
Delray Medical Center is a 372-bed acute care center, located in Delray Beach, FL. In addition to the well-known Heart Center, Delray Medical Center is a state-designated level II trauma center for adults and children, and offers a vast array of additional inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical care.  Some of those services include orthopedics, neuroscience, surgical weight reduction, psychiatric, wound treatment, and sleep disorders programs. For more information visit www.delraymedicalctr.com.