The Cincinnati Enquirer

Northern Kentucky's St. Elizabeth Medical Center has received a double honor from a national hospital recognition program for providing a combination of clinical excellence and customer service.

The honors are part of the "Distinguished Hospital Program," recently launched by J.D. Power and Associates and Health Grades Inc.

Service quality was measured by J.D. Power through a survey of recently discharged patients with results compared to national averages. St. Elizabeth got high marks for treating patients with dignity and respect, the courtesy of its doctors and respect for privacy by hospital personnel. St. Elizabeth was the only Tristate hospital to win the service quality segment of the award.

A report card on clinical quality, conducted by Health Grades, was based on various measures of cardiac, stroke, orthopedic, pulmonary/respiratory and vascular care. St. Elizabeth ranked among the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide in overall clinical quality.

Some other Tristate hospitals have scored well in past Health Grades reports. Christ, Deaconess and Bethesda North won "five-star" ratings in some cardiac-care services last year.