The Southern California Permanente Medical Group ranked above all other medical groups in the Torrance-South Bay region for the fifth year in a row, according to the California Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA) Annual Health Care Quality Report Card.

The report card, released February 22, ranks medical groups and health plans throughout California. Southern California Permanente received the highest ranking for quality patient care and service – seven out of eight stars – in the Torrance-South Bay area.

The medical group also earned four out of four stars on five of the report card’s nine clinical metrics. Those top scores were awarded for checking for Chlamydia, checking for cancer, diabetes care, heart care, proper care for children.

“Our team of dedicated physicians, nurses and care professionals are passionate about meeting the total health needs of our members,” Dr. Douglas J. Killion, area medical director, said in a statement. “The OPA’s score is a testament to our ability to work as one team to make South Bay one of the nation’s best medical centers for care and service.”

According to Kaiser Permanente, the Southern California Permanente group has been awarded the greatest number of stars of any HMO medical group in the region since 2007.

For more information or to view the complete report card, visit www.opa.ca.gov.