Tenet Hospitals in Texas Recognized for Quality of Care.

Six Tenet Hospitals Receive Texas Health Care Quality Improvement Awards

DALLAS -- Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) announced today that six of its Texas hospitals have received Texas Health Care Quality Improvement Awards from TMF Health Quality Institute, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Texas. TMF established the award program in partnership with Texas Hospital Association, Texas Medical Association, Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals and Texas Osteopathic Medical Association.

The Texas Health Care Quality Improvement Award honors Texas hospitals that are performing quality initiatives aimed at improving outcomes in patient care by recognizing those hospitals that have improved their initial baseline performance on specific national quality measures.

The awards identify hospitals that have improved care related to acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, and pneumonia. These clinical areas are designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Joint Commission, the nation's predominant independent, non-profit, standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Out of more than 390 eligible Texas hospitals three Tenet hospitals were among a group of 63 facilities that were presented with the highest award possible, the Award of Excellence, for achieving or maintaining a performance score between 90 and 100 percent on the appropriate care measures. The Tenet hospitals are:

* Providence Memorial Hospital, El Paso 

* RHD Memorial Medical Center, Dallas

* Trinity Medical Center, Carrollton

In addition, three Tenet hospitals earned the Quality Improvement Achievement Award, which required hospitals to attain a minimum of 80 percent on the appropriate care measure while also improving a certain number of percentage points from their baseline measurement. The Tenet hospitals recognized for this achievement are:

* Cypress Fairbanks Hospital and Medical Center, Houston

* Park Plaza Hospital and Medical Center, Houston

* Sierra Medical Center, El Paso

"Quality is our top priority at Tenet, and we have worked hard to implement nationally recognized standards designed to improve patient outcomes," said Robert Hendler, M.D., vice president of clinical quality at Tenet. "We're proud of our Texas hospitals, caregivers and physicians for their efforts to receive these awards, and we will continue to enhance our quality improvement efforts through our collaboration with the TMF Health Quality Institute."

"With this significant achievement, it is clear these hospitals are focused on providing high quality care to their patients," said Tom Manley, chief executive officer of the TMF Health Quality Institute. "They recognize quality improvement is not only about data, but about people. These hospitals demonstrate they are dedicated to ensuring their patients receive the right care at the right time, every time."

More information on the award is available at the TMF Health Quality Institute Award Web site at www.tmf.org/qualityaward.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals and related health care services. Tenet's hospitals aim to provide the best possible care to every patient who comes through their doors, with a clear focus on quality and service. Tenet can be found on the World Wide Web at www.tenethealth.com.