The Circle of Excellence honors Tenet hospitals that have achieved the highest levels of quality, service and operational performance.  Key metrics used to evaluate the hospitals were patient, physician and employee satisfaction scores, clinical quality and financial performance.

“The hard work, determination and commitment of the employees at Lake Pointe Health Network made 2011 a great year for the hospital and eight outpatient centers,” said Stephen L. Newman, M.D., Tenet’s vice chairman.  “The staff and physicians at Lake Pointe continue to build on their high-quality care and outstanding patient satisfaction.  I’m proud of everything they have accomplished and am delighted to honor them with Tenet’s Circle of Excellence Award.”

Lake Pointe Health Network CEO Eric Evans added, “The dedication our nurses, physicians and staff have for providing high quality care and outstanding service for every patient who passes through our doors has earned Lake Pointe this honor. I am very proud to have the opportunity to serve and work with such an outstanding group of healthcare professionals.”

ABOUT LAKE POINTE MEDICAL CENTER

Lake Pointe Medical Center is a 112-bed acute care hospital located at 6800 Scenic Drive in Rowlett.  Lake Pointe Medical Center has been serving the residents of Rockwall, Rowlett, Royse City and the surrounding communities since 1987.  The hospital provides a wide spectrum of medical services, including an emergency department with Fast Track services, a 14-bed intensive care unit, women's services, a Level II and Level III NICU, interventional cardiology, diagnostic imaging, and eight operating rooms.  With a medical staff of over 400 physicians, Lake Pointe Medical Center provides most specialty services.  The hospital holds CIGNA Center of Excellence Designations for Laparoscopic Gall Bladder Removal and Vaginal Delivery.  The hospital is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission and a Level IV Trauma Center by the Texas Department of State Health Services.  The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency, licensed by the state of Texas and certified for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  To learn more about Lake Pointe Medical Center, visit www.lakepointemedical.com. 

TENET HEALTHCARE

Tenet Healthcare Corporation is a health care services company whose subsidiaries and affiliates own and operate acute care hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and diagnostic imaging centers.  Tenet’s hospitals and related health care facilities are committed to providing high quality care to patients in the communities they serve.  For more information, please visit www.tenethealth.com.   

Some of the statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements.  Such statements are based on our current expectations and could be affected by numerous factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and periodic reports on Form 8-K.  Do not rely on any forward-looking statement, as we cannot predict or control many of the factors that ultimately may affect our ability to achieve the results estimated.  We make no promise to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of changes in underlying factors, new information, future events or otherwise.