U.S. News & World Report has published its list of top children’s hospitals in the country by specialty. No, there’s no ranking of all-around best places for pediatric care, but there’s lots of overlap. Hint: if you live in Boston or Philadelphia you’ve pretty much got it nailed.
Reputation accounted for 35% of the score, outcomes such as surgical survival and avoidance of complications from procedures represented 25%, and care-related indicators such as the ratio of nurses to patients made up 40% of the score in each specialty. The top 30 hospitals in 10 pediatric specialties were identified in the U.S. News & World Report list.
Here are the top three hospitals in each specialty:
Cancer
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Children’s Hospital Boston
Diabetes and Endocrinology
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Children’s Hospital Boston
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Gastroenterology
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Children’s Hospital Boston
Heart and Heart Surgery
Children’s Hospital Boston
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
Kidney
Children’s Hospital Boston
Seattle Children’s Hospital
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Neonatology
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Children’s Hospital Boston
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Neurology and Neurosurgery
Children’s Hospital Boston
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Baltimore.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Orthopaedics
Children’s Hospital Boston
Children’s Medical Center – Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Pulmonology
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Children’s Hospital Boston
Urology
Children’s Hospital Boston
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Riley Hospital for Children Clarian Health Partners, Indianapolis
SOURCES: U.S. News & World Report: “U.S. News Best Children’s Hospitals 2010-11.”
So what’s a mother to do if you don’t live near one of these Meccas? First, look for volume. The hospital treating the largest number of children is likely to be the best at it.
Look for nurses who’ve had additional training in the care of children. Super-hint: ask a nurse you know … either in your pediatrician’s office or elsewhere … which hospital they’d take THEIR children to. Ditto for your pediatrician.
In most cases, academic medical centers are your best bet. They’re involved in research and have cutting-edge information about children’s health.
Finally, trust your gut. Take a tour of your options. Which feels best to you? Chances are it’s the right choice.
The information provided by MamasOnCall is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, but is for information purposes only. You assume full responsibility for the health and well-being of your family. Talk with your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychiatric condition.
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