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| Vol. 23, No. 14 |
| August 1, 2001 |
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America's Best Hospitals Since 1990, U.S. News has published a survey, created at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, recognizing the nation's most exceptional hospitals. The survey is intended to be a resource for consumers who are seeking top-quality care in the diagnosis, treatment and management of difficult medical problems.
This year, data was obtained from 6,116 hospitals. The following criteria were required for hospitals to be considered for the survey: membership in the Council of Teaching Hospitals, affiliation with a medical school, or have no less than nine key technologies in their facility from a list of 17.
The field was narrowed to 1,878, due to the absence of one or more of the criteria. Of the more than 1,800 hospitals eligible for the survey, 168 were chosen as the most outstanding.
In 13 of the 17 specialties, eligibility depended on how many specific procedures were performed during the past three years and for which there was available data, or on being identified by at least one physician in U.S. News surveys during the past three years. Hospitals meeting the requirements received a U.S. News Index, a score summarizing the quality of inpatient care. Factors such as reputation among board-certified specialists, mortality ratio and numbers of registered nurses to beds were equally weighted. The 50 hospitals with the highest scores in 13 of the 17 specialties appeared in this issue.
Of the four remaining specialties represented in U.S. News (eyes, pediatrics, psychiatry and rehabilitation), ranking was determined by reputation only, because mortality data is unavailable for pediatrics patients and irrelevant in the others.
Texas Medical Center institutions ranked as follows:
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center: Cancer (2), Gynecology (5), Ear, nose, and throat (8), Urology (13), Neurology and neurosurgery (23), Digestive disorders (34)
On the U.S. News Index, only 1.8 points separated M. D. Anderson, with 98.2 points, from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, in the number one position with 100 points. Last year, M. D. Anderson was ranked number one. M. D. Anderson has ranked as one of the two top hospitals in cancer care since the magazine began its annual survey.
"We are very proud of this distinction that recognizes the dedication and commitment of M. D. Anderson faculty, staff, volunteers, patients and community partners," said Dr. John Mendelsohn, M. D. Anderson's president. "There are more than 6,000 hospitals in the United States, and only 168 rank in the U.S. News "Best Hospitals" survey. This national recognition reinforces our commitment to continue moving forward in the conquest of cancer."
The Methodist Hospital: Neurology and neurosurgery (12), Urology (12), Ear, nose, and throat (15), Eyes (15), Kidney disease (37)
Methodist continues to be recognized for its excellence in urology, ranking 12th in the nation for that specialty, up one spot from last year. The Methodist Hospital also improved its ranking in neurology and neurosurgery, moving from 15th to 12th. For the fourth year in a row, Methodist was recognized as a top hospital in ear, nose and throat, ranking 15th. Baylor College of Medicine's Cullen Eye Institute, housed at Methodist, was ranked 15th in nation and was the only Texas institution to be ranked in that category. Up eight spots from last year, Methodist was recognized as a top hospital for kidney disease, ranking 37th.
"The rankings reinforce the commitment to excellence and quality care demonstrated every day by the physicians, nurses and staff at Methodist. I am pleased they are receiving the recognition they deserve," said Peter Butler, Methodist Health Care System president and CEO.
The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital: Heart (7), Busiest heart transplant hospital - 46 transplants (7)
"It is an honor for us to be considered among the top 10 cardiovascular centers in the country so consistently," said Dr. Denton A. Cooley, founder, president and surgeon in chief of the Texas Heart Institute, and chief of cardiovascular surgery at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. "This recognition is a testament to the outstanding work of our physicians, clinical and nursing staffs, and research scientists."
The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's is the only heart center in Houston to be listed among the top 50 in its category.
"As we look forward to the opening in January of the new Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital - The Denton A. Cooley Building, which will give our institutions a facility to expand our world-renowned leadership in education, research and treatment of heart disease, it is an honor to be once again recognized as the top heart center in the Southwest," said Michael K. Jhin, president and CEO of St. Luke's Episcopal Health System. "It illustrates what an outstanding group of physicians and staff we have and the importance of our partnership with the Texas Heart Institute."
The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research: Rehabilitation (2), Rheumatology (28)
TIRR was named the number two rehabilitation hospital in the nation, advancing from the number three spot last year. Twenty hospitals were named to the list of rehabilitation facilities, and TIRR is again the number one rehabilitation hospital in the South.
Louisa Adelung, president of TIRR, said this is the 12th time TIRR has been included on the list. "I salute our employees and credit each for the results of the survey that has moved us from number three in the nation to number two this year," said Adelung. "Considering we were the number eight hospital in 1997, this year's number two position is even more significant."
During the 12 consecutive years TIRR has been named one of the top rehabilitation facilities in the country, the hospital has provided care for more than 12,000 patients.
"Our placement on this list each year is a tribute to the innovative, collaborative, world-class care of our physicians, therapists, nurses, technicians, researchers and all our support staff at TIRR said E. Ashley Smith, president and CEO, TIRR Systems." Texas Children's Hospital: Pediatrics (6)
Texas Children's Hospital was named the top pediatric hospital in the South and Southwest, and one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation.
"We are pleased that pediatricians from across the nation have recognized Texas Children's Hospital," said Mark A. Wallace, president and chief executive officer. "We are committed to building a community of healthy children by offering the finest possible pediatric care, education and research."
Up from number eight last year, the hospital has climbed up the U.S. News rankings for the past four years.
"One of the main reasons for this honor is the wonderful work done by our physicians and staff in the hospital, our clinics and in our extensive pediatric research programs," said Texas Children's physician-in-chief Dr. Ralph D. Feigin.
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/08_01_01/page_02.html |