To the editor:

Recently, the Lawrence Journal-World ran a story about a private regional survey of care for patients with heart attacks. This survey seems to show that Lawrence Memorial Hospital ranked below other hospitals in the quality of care of heart attack patients. The details of this casual survey need no serious debate except to say that accurate documentation of high-quality care seemed lacking.

It would simply be wrong to conclude that care for a patient with a heart attack was poor at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. I have observed the scene here in Lawrence for over 24 years as a physician on the staff of Lawrence Memorial Hospital. I know for a fact that the care of patients with heart attack is first-rate. Lawrence citizens are well-served by Lawrence Memorial Hospital in general and in the care for this disease. Should I have a heart attack (God forbid) I would have all of my care at Lawrence Memorial Hospital without any question.

Dr. Gerald B. Pees,

Lawrence