For Immediate Release

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION NAMES ST. LUKE’S TOP HOSPITAL

Boise, Idaho (September 27, 2004) – For the fourth year in a row, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center has been recognized as one of the Nation’s top hospitals by the National Research Corporation (NRC). St. Luke’s received NRC’s Consumer Choice Award for 2004/2005, which identifies hospitals which healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image in 154 markets throughout the United States.

Of the 3,000 hospitals rated by consumers in 2004, the winning facilities rank highest in their Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the U.S. Census. Other hospitals chosen in this year’s survey include Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland, the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, and the Stanford Hospital and Clinics and Cedars-Sinai, both in California.

“Being voted a top hospital by the people who use medical services means a great deal to us,” said Ed Dahlberg, president and CEO of St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center. “Being the ‘consumer’s choice’ is a credit to the commitment and dedication of the skilled physicians practicing at St. Luke’s, our nurses and other health care professionals who work together to provide quality care and service to our patients.”

Winners of the NRC Consumer Choice Award are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s annual Healthcare Market Guide Study (HCMG).

NRC interviews more than 140,000 households representing 400,000 consumers nationwide in order to assess public opinion of which hospitals have the best overall quality, best doctors and nurses as well as the best image and reputation. The nation’s largest and most comprehensive study of its kind, their survey contains more consumer responses than any other study.
“ Consumers are continuing to play an increasing role in their selection of healthcare facilities and services,” said NRC President and CEO, Michael Hayes. “As more information is made available to consumers, we expect to see this trend increase. With the industry’s shift to a consumer driven model, we are pleased to recognize the facilities named as leaders by those they serve. The winners deserve recognition for the emphasis they have placed on providing quality, patient-centered care,” Hayes added.

National Research Corporation (NASDAQ: NRCI) is a recognized industry leader, with more than two decades of experience in healthcare-specific performance measurement. For more information about NRC or the Health Care Market Guide Study, log on to their website at www.nationalresearch.com. .

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