UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital ranks among the nation's top pediatric hospitals, according to U.S. News News Media Group's 2009 edition of America's Best Children's Hospitals, published online at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals and in the August issue of U.S. News and World Report, available on newsstands July 21.
The 2009 America's Best Children's Hospitals, the most extensive listing of its kind, includes rankings in 10 specialties. Nationally, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital was recognized in nine out of ten categories including: kidney disorders (No. 3); digestive disorders (No. 8); neurology & neurosurgery (No.12); heart & heart surgery (No. 14); diabetes & endocrine disorders (No. 15); urology (No. 16); cancer (No. 16); neonatal care (No. 21); and orthopedics (No. 26).
"By combining the overall scores of each category for all hospitals ranked in the survey, we also calculated that UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital ranked twelfth in the nation, and second in the state of California," said the hospital's physician-in-chief, Dr. Edward R.B. McCabe, who holds the Mattel Executive Endowed Chair in UCLA's Department of Pediatrics. "We are especially proud that two of our programs-kidney disorders and digestive disorders-were ranked the highest on the West Coast, and our neurology and neurosurgery program was ranked the highest in the state. Great care is delivered to the children and families at Mattel Children's Hospital every day, and these rankings are a salute to our dedicated doctors, nurses and staff."
The methodology behind this year's rankings weighed a three-part blend of reputation, outcome, and care-related measures such as nursing care, advanced technology, credentialing and other factors. The hospitals were judged based on a combination of opinions from pediatric specialists about the hospitals they would recommend for the sickest children and data gathered in a 65-page survey covering important medical information ranging from surgical death rates to whether pediatric anesthesiologists and other sub-specialists are on staff. A detailed description of the methodology can be found at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals.
Ranking-eligible facilities were largely drawn from two membership categories of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI): freestanding children's hospitals, or large, multidisciplinary pediatric departments within a medical center. Several non-NACHRI members were added because of known expertise or at the recommendation of experts. Of the 160 children's hospitals invited to complete the 65-page survey, 98 responded. The survey was created and administered by RTI International, the same respected research organization that collects the data and oversees the methodology behind the adult Best Hospitals rankings.
"While they might be a small percentage of all hospital patients, a large number of children every year need high-quality hospital care," added Health Rankings editor Avery Comarow. "The objective of the Best Children's Hospitals rankings is to help children with uniquely challenging medical needs, and for these special patients, it is essential they seek treatment at pediatric facilities with deep expertise. With this year's rankings, we are providing important information on the best of the best."
UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, one of the highest-rated children's hospitals in California, is a vital component of UCLA Medical Center, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the third best hospital in nation and best in the Western United States. Mattel Children's Hospital offers a full spectrum of primary and specialized medical care for infants, children and adolescents. The hospital's mission is to provide state of-the-art treatment for children in a compassionate atmosphere, as well as to improve the understanding and treatment of pediatric diseases. For more information, visit www.uclahealth.org/mattel.
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