Business North Carolina has again rated FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst among the best in the state.

The hospital was rated in the top 5 percent in the state in 2006 for care given in the categories general surgery, heart, orthopaedics and vascular. The ratings are published this month in the magazine.

"We are so pleased that Moore Regional physicians and staff continue to be recognized for providing our patients and community with quality health care," said Charles T. Frock, CEO of FirstHealth of the Carolinas, the hospital's parent company. "I congratulate the dedicated and hardworking staff who work each day to fulfill our core purpose -- to care for people."

Business North Carolina magazine annually rates hospital in the state in selected categories.

The ratings are based on data compiled by Health Grades Inc., which uses data from 5,000 hospitals in 32 procedures and diagnoses.

Frock called the ratings "especially important" because they "rely on outcomes-based data, and is an "invaluable resource" for prospective patients.

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital serves a 15-county area of the Carolinas. The hospital opened in 1929. It is a 385-bed facility that employs nearly 3,000 physicians, staff and volunteers.

"It is a testimony to the dedication of the staff at FirstHealth and Pinehurst Surgical to deliver the most exceptional cardiac surgical care anywhere while maintaining a personal relationship with the patients," said Dr. Andy Kiser, a cardiothoracic surgeon with Pinehurst Surgi-cal.

The ratings for general surgery are based on appendectomy, bowel obstruction and cholecystectomy surgery and other factors.

The heart ratings are based on complications, mortality in hospital at one and six months after release for six coronary procedures that include bypass surgery and angioplasty.

"This recognition is another affirmation of the tremendous work done by all the members of the cardiovascular team," said Dr. John Krahnert, a cardiothoracic surgeon with Pinehurst Surgical. "As much as we appreciate these awards and recognition, what is most important is the positive impact our excellent outcomes have on our patients and their families."

Orthopaedics ratings are based on complications, mortality in hospital and at one and six months after release for six orthopaedic procedures such as back surgery and hip replacement.

"As an orthopaedic surgeon here at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, I feel we are constantly striving to attain the highest level of quality patient care and advancement in our field," Dr. Jason Guevara said.

Vascular ratings are based on complication, mortality in hospital, and at one and six months after release for procedures that treat major arteries outside the heart, including aorta repair.

Dr. John Streitman credited dedicated, hard-working doctors and staff with providing quality cardiac and vascular surgical care at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.

"Without this commitment to excellence from everyone involved, our patients would not be able to benefit from the quality of health care that is usually available only at academic institutions."

The magazine also rated hospitals for clinical excellence, critical care and stroke. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital was not rated in the top 5 percent in these categories.

It has been recognized by the magazine for its clinical excellence in the past, including most recently in 2004 and 2005.

"Our goal is to combine state-of-the-art medical care with the individualized personal attention that cannot always be found at a sprawling university medical center," said Dr. Willy Chu, a general surgeon with Pinehurst Surgical.

Tom Embrey can be reached 693-2473 or by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.