Karmanos Cancer Center Most Preferred Hospital for Cancer Care According to 2...( DETROIT Dec. 12 -- The Barbara A...),Health

DETROIT, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center is the preferred hospital for cancer care in southeast Michigan according to the 2007 Cancer Treatment Preference Profile Survey, conducted by the National Research Corporation.

The annual survey, conducted via an email questionnaire, was sent to nearly 200,000 households throughout the United States, April through June, including 3,440 homes in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, St. Clair and Monroe counties.

"We know there are many choices when it comes to hospitals in southeastern Michigan," said John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D., president and chief executive officer, Karmanos Cancer Institute. "What distinguishes Karmanos from other health providers is that our total focus is cancer. We are a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center -- a prestigious position that follows a highly competitive process placing Karmanos among the nation's best. That honor comes with our continued commitment to provide exceptional cancer care and ground-breaking research second to none."

The survey respondent was the individual in the home who is the primary health care decision maker. Respondents who preferred Karmanos for cancer care also said they preferred Karmanos for: the latest technology and equipment; best image or reputation; most personalized care; best overall quality; and best doctors.

This is the first time since Karmanos became an independent cancer center in 2005 that it has been rated the highest preferred hospital for cancer care in the National Research Corporation survey. The results represent a 14 percent increase in preference since 2006 from residents in southeast Michigan's seven-county area.

Karmanos, which averaged 500 new patients a month and more than 6,000 new patients in 2006, has seen a steady increase of new patients in 2007, including more than 700 new patients in October.

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