Editor’s Note: We take our health care coverage quite seriously. Whether it’s presenting lists of Top Doctors, Top Dentists or Five-Star Hospitals, we look for companies with a creditable methodology. We concede that no selection method is perfect, yet we know that thoughtful research can provide better references than word-of-mouth.
We caution that if a hospital doesn’t make the list it isn’t necessarily because it’s inferior but more likely because it doesn’t offer all the procedures considered for the rankings. Yet, in other ways, the hospital may be superior.
Hospitals listed on these pages were determined by HealthGrades, a Colorado-based company specializing in health research. Their emphasis is on specialized care and survival rates. Amenities such as décor and extra services do not, in themselves, qualify a place for the list. Here is a statement, prepared by HealthGrades about their methodology:
HealthGrades is the leading independent health care ratings organization, a name consumers trust at important times in their lives. Millions of consumers rely on HealthGrades’ independent quality ratings to select doctors, hospitals and nursing homes.
HealthGrades’ hospital ratings and awards are based on actual patient outcomes at each of the nation’s hospitals. Each hospital receives a star rating – one, three or five stars – for a range of procedures and treatments.
Additionally, HealthGrades recognizes hospitals that perform in the top 10 percent in the nation in each of the specialty care areas, such as cardiac surgery and orthopedics. The HealthGrades’ Specialty Excellence Awards are determined each year and are released in October along with HealthGrades’ annual Hospital Quality in America study.
Receiving high-quality healthcare can help you more effectively manage a condition and avoid unnecessary complications. The most important steps you can take to ensure that you are getting the best possible care are to use quality information, take an active role in making decisions about your care, and look for facilities that meet quality standards of excellence.
A full copy of HealthGrades’ hospital methodology is available at www.healthgrades.com.
