Cedars-Sinai Medical Group recently received the top rating of "Excellent" for its delivery of national standards of care, according to the State of California Office of the Patient Advocate's (OPA) 2007 Health Care Quality Report Card. Cedars-Sinai Medical Group was one of only five medical groups in Los Angeles County to receive the "Excellent" rating.

The OPA is an independent office within state government charged with informing and educating consumers about their rights and responsibilities as HMO members. The OPA evaluated both California's HMOs and more than 200 medical groups throughout the state for the 2007 Health Care Quality Report Card.

"The OPA rating is a validation of our system-wide commitment to delivering outstanding medical services to the community," said Thomas D. Gordon, chief executive officer of Cedars-Sinai's Medical Delivery Network. "Our physicians and staff put our patients first, and it shows."

The medical group ratings were determined by measuring how well each group met 13 recommended national standards for patient care, including: breast cancer screenings, cervical cancer screenings, child immunizations, chlamydia screenings, administering asthma medications, testing and controlling blood sugar for diabetics, testing and controlling cholesterol for diabetics, kidney function testing for diabetics, testing and controlling cholesterol, as well as testing children with upper respiratory infections.

Founded in 1985, the Cedars-Sinai Medical Group includes more than 90 primary care and specialty physician partners.