By
Shana Heiser
Arizona Daily Wildcat
National Research Corporation survey shows shift in local health
University Medical Center was named Tucson's top hospital last week, beating Tucson Medical Center for the first time ever.
During the first three years of the award, given by local consumers in the National Research Corporation, TMC won the award. Last year, the two hospitals tied. This year, the UMC won the award by having the best staff, image and reputation and overall quality in the city.
"It's very unusual in any market to see such a shift in this short amount of time," said Greg Pivirotto, UMC president and chief executive officer. "The technology available at UMC, the quality of physicians and staff and the care we provide is becoming well known throughout the community."
The survey included more than 400,000 consumers nationwide and awarded 122 hospitals as the best in 103 metropolitan areas.
Jake McHugh, NRC senior consultant in the Southwest said the story in Tucson is unique.
"Most often, facilities receive this award and it's pretty consistent throughout the years," he said. "It's big news around here when someone else is a first-time award-winner."
Patients appreciate the UMC employees' concern, Pivirotto said, which contributed to the award. Most of the letters he has received mention the compassion doctors and nurses have shown for patients.
"It's an affirmation of the type of care that the people at UMC provide," Pivirotto said. "People here are doing a good job."
Other attributes, such as the availability of the latest technology and the quality of care of patients, show improved consumer opinions of UMC, Pivirotto said.
The annual NRC survey's results have changed dramatically in the past two years, and next year may be even more surprising, McHugh said.
"It will be interesting to see if in 2001 the gap in market between numbers one and two in the Tucson market widens or if TMC is able to close that gap," he said.
Even though UMC ranked above TMC this year, Pivirotto said it is not a negative reflection on TMC.
Operations at UMC will continue as they do now, with the hospital always "striving to do better,"he said.
"I don't see this having a profound effect, but we're very proud of it because it is an affirmation of the type of people who work at UMC," Pivirotto said.
