ARAMARK Healthcare, the American Organization of Nurse Executives and the Studer Group Join on Research to Develop Nursing Satisfaction Standards.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Research to Drive New Standardized Tool to Measure Nursing Satisfaction with Clinical Support Services 

ARAMARK Healthcare, with the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Institute for Patient Care Research & Education and the Studer Group are partnering on a joint research project designed to create a standard tool for evaluating nursing satisfaction with key clinical support functions, including: nutrition, housekeeping, facilities management, patient transport, patient lift teams, security, supply management and clinical equipment maintenance staff. Psychological Associates will conduct the research, which began in June 2006 and will conclude in April 2007. The project was announced today at the Health Forum and American Hospital Association, 2006 Leadership Summit on Performance Improvement.

The study will determine key drivers to improve relationships among hospital nursing organizations and support services groups and will aid in creating a valid and reliable standard instrument for hospitals to identify and measure the variables of nursing satisfaction with clinical support services. The research aligns with AONE's strategic goal to improve the workforce environment for nurses and aims to support nursing satisfaction and retention, which are linked to patient satisfaction and quality outcomes.

"Chief Nursing Officers play a vital role in ensuring that the relationships between nursing and support service groups thrive," said Laura Caramanica, RN, PhD, Vice President for Nursing at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and Chair of the AONE Institute. "This work will better equip Chief Nursing Officers to set expectations that build a collaborative culture that will promote employee satisfaction and foster higher quality care delivery."

The research sample will be comprised of nursing organizations in varied hospital settings throughout the U.S. The study methodology will include an assessment of both the strengths and development opportunities of the nursing and support services relationship. Survey questions will be designed to be actionable, so the results can be used to implement strategies for strengthening the nursing and support services relationship and positively impact patient outcomes.

"Presently, hospitals across the U.S. use a multitude of methods for evaluating nursing satisfaction with clinical support services," said Robert W. Carpenter, President of ARAMARK Healthcare. "This study will fill a gap and offer a standard approach for evaluating these relationships - enabling more accurate hospital-to-hospital comparison of nursing satisfaction."

About ARAMARK Healthcare

ARAMARK Healthcare is a leader in providing best-in-class non-clinical services that are essential to healthcare delivery. Understanding that clinical excellence and the environment are interdependent, ARAMARK Healthcare directly impacts the entire healthcare continuum - patient, employee, nurse and physician satisfaction, operational efficiency and service excellence. Through its facility, food and clinical technology services, ARAMARK Healthcare helps more than 1,000 hospitals and senior living facilities deliver the optimal experience for patients and residents, their families, and the physicians, nurses and staff who care for them. For more information, visit http://www.aramarkhealthcare.com.

About American Organization of Nurse Executives

Founded in 1967, the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association, is a national organization of over 5,000 nurses who design, facilitate, and manage care.

Its mission is to represent nurse leaders who improve healthcare. AONE members are leaders in collaboration and catalysts for innovation. AONE's vision is "Shaping the future of healthcare through innovative nursing leadership." For more information visit www.aone.org

About the AONE Institute for Patient Care Research & Education

The Institute is a 501(c) (3) unit of the Health Research and Education Trust, and was launched in 1999. It is designed to support research and special projects that further AONE's mission and vision in the areas of nursing leadership, patient care excellence and health care policy.

About Studer Group

Studer Group is a healthcare consulting company that helps organizations achieve superior operational performance by implementing tools and techniques created by Studer Group. The Studer Group has created a national learning lab through its work with over 450 healthcare facilities across the U.S. The company impacts patients, nurses, physicians and healthcare workers at all levels through its coaching, speaking, national seminars and resources (including software solutions). The Studer Group is dedicated to making healthcare a better place for employees to work, physicians to practice and patients to receive care. For more information visit www.studergroup.com

About ARAMARK

ARAMARK (NYSE:RMK) is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. In FORTUNE magazine's 2006 list of "America's Most Admired Companies," ARAMARK was ranked number one in its industry, consistently ranking since 1998 as one of the top three most admired companies in its industry as evaluated by peers and industry analysts. The company was also ranked first in its industry in the 2006 FORTUNE 500 survey. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 240,000 employees serving clients in 20 countries. Learn more at the company's Web site, www.aramark.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, including prior forward-looking statements, to reflect the events or circumstances arising after the date as of which they were made. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, us.

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect our current views as to future events and financial performance with respect to our operations. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "aim," "anticipate," "are confident," "estimate," "expect," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "look to" and other words and terms of similar meaning in conjunction with a discussion of future operating or financial performance.

These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include: unfavorable economic conditions; ramifications of any future terrorist attacks or increased security alert levels; increased operating costs, including labor-related and energy costs; shortages of qualified personnel or increases in labor costs; costs and possible effects of further unionization of our workforce; currency risks and other risks associated with international markets; risks associated with acquisitions, including acquisition integration issues and costs; our ability to integrate and derive the expected benefits from our recent acquisitions; competition; decline in attendance at client facilities; unpredictability of sales and expenses due to contract terms and terminations; the impact of natural disasters on our sales and operating results; the risk that clients may become insolvent; the contract intensive nature of our business, which may lead to client disputes; high leverage; claims relating to the provision of food services; costs of compliance with governmental regulations and government investigations; liability associated with noncompliance with governmental regulations, including regulations pertaining to food services, the environment, the Federal school lunch program, Federal and state employment and wage and hour laws and import and export controls and customs laws; dram shop compliance and litigation; contract compliance and administration issues, inability to retain current clients and renew existing client contracts; determination by customers to reduce their outsourcing and use of preferred vendors; seasonality; and other risks that are set forth in the "Risk Factors," "Legal Proceedings" and "Management Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" sections of and elsewhere in ARAMARK's SEC filings, copies of which may be obtained by contacting ARAMARK's investor relations department via its website www.aramark.com.