Hospital Corporation of America named one of Ethisphere's World's most ethical companies for fourth consecutive year

Hospital Corporation of America (NYSE: HCA), a leading healthcare provider with 162 hospitals and 112 ambulatory surgery centers in 20 states and London, England, has been named one of the Ethisphere Institute’s 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies. It is the fourth consecutive year HCA has achieved this distinction.

The Ethisphere Institute, a leading international organization dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, governance, anti-corruption and sustainability, established its World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2007. According to Ethisphere, companies recognized are those that truly embrace ethical business practice and demonstrate industry leadership, forcing peers to follow suit or fall behind. HCA is one of only four healthcare providers on this year’s list.

“Because Ethisphere’s demanding selection process looks to the true ethical content of the day-to-day operations of organizations in all industries, this is really recognition for all 200,000 individuals who work in the various facilities throughout HCA,” said Alan Yuspeh, HCA’s Senior Vice President and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer. “We have been included once again because our team reflects our values of compassionate patient care, fairness and integrity in all that they do. We are honored to have been chosen as one of Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fourth year in succession.”

In addition to HCA’s long-standing, industry-leading ethics and compliance program, which has served as a model for others, the company is a leader in environmental practices among healthcare companies. Increasingly, the company is purchasing eco-friendly products, using sustainable building materials, improving recycling efforts and using energy and water more efficiently. HCA has installed both solar and geothermal energy sources at facilities and helped lead an industry effort to create standardized environmental questions for healthcare purchases. HCA is a member of Practice GreenHealth and a charter member of the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, two organizations that champion eco-friendly practices in healthcare.

HCA also has been a pioneer in establishing an improved charity care and uninsured discount policy, which has been emulated by hospitals across the country. Later, HCA became one of the first providers to make detailed pricing information publicly available. HCA facilities provide extensive health care to individuals who are unable to pay for such care. In addition, the company is active philanthropically, supporting agencies that promote health and well-being, support childhood and youth development and foster the arts in Middle Tennessee. Through the HCA Foundation, the company has awarded grants totaling approximately $25 million since 2008.

“Not only did more companies apply for the World’s Most Ethical Companies recognition this year than any year in the past, which demonstrates that ethical activity is an important part of many of these companies' business models, but we are also seeing more companies be proactive and create new initiatives that expand ethics programs and cultures across entire industries, such as industry-based ethics associations and other activities,” said Alex Brigham, Executive Director of Ethisphere. “We are excited to see the 2013 World's Most Ethical Companies take these leadership positions, and embrace the correlation between ethical behavior and improved financial performance.”

Through in-depth research and a multi-step analysis, Ethisphere reviewed nominations from companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. The methodology for the World’s Most Ethical Companies includes reviewing codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories; evaluating the investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looking at activities designed to improve corporate citizenship; and studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.

Read about the methodology and view the complete list of the 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies at http://worldsmostethicalcompanies.ethisphere.com/honorees/. The World’s Most Ethical Companies list will also be featured in the 2013 Quarter 1 issue of Ethisphere Magazine.

All references to “Company” and “HCA” as used throughout this release refer to HCA Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates.