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With 20 hospitals earning the Honor Roll distinction, the report compared hospitals in 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. Of these, only 160 earned the "Best Hospitals" ranking, signifying excellence in clinical outcomes, nursing care, and patient safety practices.
Today, U.S. News & World Report published its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals rankings, marking the 35th anniversary of this comprehensive evaluation of nearly 5000 hospitals nationwide.1 This year's edition highlights 466 best regional hospitals and, for the first time, recognizes 98 hospitals for equitable access, celebrating their commitment to serving historically underserved communities.2 With 20 hospitals earning the Honor Roll distinction, the report compared hospitals in 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions.3 Only 160 earned the "Best Hospitals" ranking, signifying excellence in clinical outcomes, nursing care, and patient safety practices.1
This year new data were incorporated on care provided to patients with Medicare Advantage insurance and outpatient care, nearly doubling the number of patients included in its annual analysis. The procedures and conditions ratings are grounded entirely on objective quality measures, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable evaluation of hospital performance.
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“Choosing the right hospital to match your needs shouldn't be a guessing game," Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News, said in a statement.1 "The 2024-2025 edition of Best Hospitals provides patients and their families clear, data-driven insights on hospital performance and empowers Americans to choose the facility best suited to their specific health care needs.”
Additionally, hospitals recognized as "High Performing" have earned the highest distinction available in U.S. News’ Best Hospitals: Procedures & Conditions ratings.3 Remarkably, fewer than half of the evaluated hospitals achieved any high performing rating, with a total of 1797 hospitals meeting this rigorous standard.
The full list of top-ranked hospitals by specialty is available at U.S. News Best Hospitals.4
To determine the Best Hospitals rankings, U.S. News evaluated each hospital’s performance on various objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, and level of nursing care.3 The methodology for specialty rankings, procedures, and conditions ratings is based on patient outcomes, using data from millions of records provided by CMS. This year, U.S. News incorporated new data on care provided to patients with Medicare Advantage insurance and outpatient care, nearly doubling the number of patients included in its annual analysis. The procedures and conditions ratings are grounded entirely on objective quality measures, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable evaluation of hospital performance.
The Best Regional Hospitals designation requires hospitals to earn the highest possible ratings in numerous procedures and conditions, showcasing their broad and consistent excellence. The Honor Roll, awarded to only 20 hospitals nationwide, highlights those that have excelled in providing high-quality medical care across a range of specialties.
The full list of top-ranked hospitals in each state and major metropolitan area is available at U.S. News Best Hospitals.5
The Honor Roll includes hospitals listed in alphabetical order that either ranked first or tied for first in their respective states, reflecting their top-tier performance. Notable mentions include:
By highlighting top-performing institutions, recognizing excellence in patient care, and introducing new categories such as equitable access, the report stated that these rankings empower patients and their families to make informed health care decisions.1 As the health care landscape continues to evolve, the rigorous evaluation and comprehensive data provided by U.S. News serve as a vital resource for those seeking the best possible medical care. Whether considering a hospital for specialized treatment or general care, the rankings provide a reliable guide to the highest standards of health care excellence.
References
1. U.S. News announces the 2024-2025 best hospitals. News release. U.S. News & World Report. July 16, 2024. https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2024-07-16/u-s-news-announces-the-2024-2025-best-hospitals
2. Grossi G. Top hospitals for equitable access in 2024 ranked by US News. The American Journal of Managed Care®. June 5, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.ajmc.com/view/top-hospitals-for-equitable-access-in-2024-ranked-by-us-news
3. Lara Agudelo D, Wen C, Ji R, et al. Methodology: U.S. News & World Report 2024-2025 Best Hospitals: Procedures & Conditions Ratings. U.S. News & World Report. July 16, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://health.usnews.com/media/best-hospitals/2024-2025_best_hospitals_procedures_conditions_methodology
4. Best hospitals by specialty, national rankings. U.S. News & World Report. Updated July 16, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings
5. Best hospitals by region, regional ranking. U.S. News & World Report. Updated July 16, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area
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