Metroplex Adventist Hospital has earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition under a national program run by the American Association for Respiratory Care.

The program is aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of respiratory services available.

In 2010 only 700 of the 5,000 hospitals in the U.S. -- or about 15 percent -- received the award.

Hospitals earning the QRCR designation ensure patient safety by adhering to strict criteria governing their respiratory care services.

To qualify for recognition, Metroplex provided documentation showing it met a number of strict conditions including stringent training guidelines, credentialing, ongoing education and safe practice principles.

A list of QRCR hospitals is maintained at the association’s Web site at www.YourLungHealth.org/basic _information/quality_providers/ index.cfm.