Rush is ranked higher than any other program in Illinois in orthopedics, geriatrics and nephrology

(CHICAGO) — Rush University Medical Center has once again been named one of the nation’s top hospitals, according to the upcoming issue of U.S.News & World Report. Rush is ranked in 11 of 16 categories included in the magazine’s 2012-13 America’s Best Hospitals issue, which will be on sale in mid-August.

Just 148 of the approximately 5,000 hospitals in the United States — approximately 3 percent — scored high enough this year to rank in at least one specialty nationally.

Rush is ranked higher than any other program in Illinois in orthopedics (No. 11 in the country), geriatrics (No. 12) and nephrology (No. 18). Rush’s other ranked programs are neurology and neurosurgery (No. 17); heart and heart surgery (No. 21); urology (No. 22); gastroenterology (No. 44), ear, nose and throat (No. 46); gynecology (No. 46); pulmonology (No. 47); and diabetes and endocrinology (No. 49).

In June, U.S.News’ 2012-13 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings included Rush Children’s Hospital in two of the 10 categories, an increase from one last year. Rush Children’s Hospital was ranked No. 35 in gastroenterology and No. 44 in neonatology.

“Rush continues to do great work in a broad spectrum of categories, and these rankings are representative of the outstanding quality of care provided at Rush,” said Dr. Larry J. Goodman, CEO, Rush University Medical Center. “Rush has earned its place among the top academic medical centers in America.”

Now in its 23rd year, the America’s Best Hospitals guide is its most extensive hospital ranking to date. U.S.News says that the purpose of the “America’s Best Hospitals” issue is to help “guide patients to hospitals with strong skills in the procedures and medical conditions that present the biggest challenges. All of these hospitals are the kinds of medical centers that should be on your list when you need the best care. They are where other hospitals send the toughest cases.”

Hard numbers stand behind the rankings in most specialties — death rates, patient safety, procedure volume, and other objective data. Responses to a national survey, in which physicians were asked to name hospitals they consider best in their specialty for the toughest cases, also were factored in.