Redding, CA, October 1, 2012 — Shasta Regional Medical Center was recently named as one of the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in the U.S. for superior inpatient performance in cardiovascular services by Truven Health Analytics, formerly the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters.

The annual study examined the performance of more than 1,000 hospitals by analyzing outcomes for patients with heart failure and heart attacks and for those who received coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary interventions such as angioplasties.

"This recognition is a great tribute to the amazing efforts by the entire cardiac team from the emergency room to the operating room. As a cardiac surgeon, Shasta Regional is a wonderful place to practice because of the dedication and teamwork in providing the highest level of care," said Dr. Doug McConnell, Director of Cardiovascular Surgery.

This is the first time Shasta Regional Medical Center has been recognized with this honor making Shasta Regional the only hospital in the North State and one of three community hospitals in California receiving this honor. This year's winners were announced October 1 in Modern Healthcare magazine.

The study further identified that if all cardiovascular providers performed at the level of this year's winners, nearly 8,600 additional lives could have been saved and more than $1 billion in reduced costs.

The study shows that cardiovascular outcomes in U.S. hospitals are improving nationwide. Across all U.S. hospitals, 96 percent of cardiovascular inpatients survive and remain complication-free. Among the 50 Top Hospitals, performance surpasses these high-water marks as indicated by:

· Better risk-adjusted survival rates (41 percent fewer deaths than expected, compared with 9 percent fewer than expected at peer hospitals) for bypass surgery patients.

· Lower complications indices (35 percent lower rate of heart failure complications than peers).

· Fewer patients readmitted to the hospital after 30 days.

· Shorter hospital stays. The typical winning hospital released their bypass patients a full day sooner, and their heart attack and heart failure patients about three-quarters of a day sooner than their peers.

· Lower costs. Top hospitals spend $3,500 less per bypass case and $1,000 less per angioplasty than non-winners.

"This award as a 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals is another testimony to the relentless commitment of our multidiscipline team of cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, nurses and staff," said Randall Hempling, CEO. "We couldn't be any prouder knowing our team is striving to achieve higher levels of care and safety for our patients, 24-7."

The study evaluated general and applicable specialty, short-term, acute care, non-federal U.S. hospitals treating a broad spectrum of cardiology patients. For more information, please visit www.truvenhealth.com.