ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwire - January 22, 2009) - Avatar International, an industry leader in healthcare quality improvement services, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), an alliance of 103 academic medical centers and 191 affiliated hospitals, to provide patient satisfaction surveys and other quality assessment services to UHC members.

The agreement followed a rigorous evaluation of Avatar International's research methodologies, survey design, data validity, response rates and reporting systems. As an awarded provider, Avatar will offer UHC members its customized Intelligent Surveys™ as part of a comprehensive approach to improving patient satisfaction that includes measurement, consulting and improvement resources.

"It is a privilege to be aligned with UHC. We look forward to assisting the prestigious institutions it serves in achieving their patient safety, quality and performance goals," said Avatar International CEO David Medvedeff, Pharm.D., MBA. "Because Avatar tailors its surveys for each client and patient, UHC members will be provided with the detailed, actionable information they need to ensure they are meeting the needs and expectations of the patients and families they serve."

Avatar's online reporting system allows clients to access their results at any time and in a format of their choosing, including both visual and interactive information displays. Custom reporting tools and queries are also available, including DRG/MSDRG and JCAHO reporting, as well as nationwide benchmarking and user-defined comparison groups including comprehensive HCAHPS benchmarking with more than 2,700 medical centers.

Clients can utilize the secure website or work directly with an Avatar consultant to set and assign goals, develop action plans, track progress, or adopt built-in improvement ideas that have been developed over the firm's 25 years of training and consulting experience. Other consultative services include training modules and tutorials and recurring Best Practice Webinars on a range of topics.

About UHC

The University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), formed in 1984, is an alliance of 103 academic medical centers and 191 of their affiliated hospitals, representing approximately 90% of the nation's nonprofit academic medical centers. UHC offers its members specific programs and services to improve clinical, operational, and patient safety performance. The mission of UHC is to advance knowledge, foster collaboration, and promote change to help members succeed in their respective markets. For more information, visit www.uhc.edu.

About Avatar International

Avatar (www.avatar-intl.com), a research and consulting group based in Orlando, Fla., specializes in Evidence Based Intelligent Surveys™ and Innovative Strategies™ to transform information into significant quality and efficiency of care improvement for the healthcare industry. In addition to conducting surveys, Avatar also actively engages healthcare providers in process improvement, including training in service quality. Avatar serves healthcare organizations nationally, including small community hospitals, academic medical centers, large regional medical centers, integrated healthcare systems, long-term care and behavioral health organizations.