The University Record, July 19, 1999 By Pete Barkey
Health System Public Relations
The University of Michigan Hospitals have moved back into the top-10 list of best hospitals in America, according to an annual survey released July 9 by U.S. News and World Report.
The Hospitals are ranked ninth this year, up from 12th in 1998, and are one of only 13 hospitals that made this year’s prestigious U.S. News Honor Roll. The Hospitals continued to have high scores in nearly every category and showed improvement in several areas.
The U-M was recognized in 14 of the 16 specialties considered by the magazine, with six ranked ninth or higher and 12 listed in the top 20 in their respective categories.
Specialties making the biggest gains were cancer, which jumped to the number nine spot nationally after being ranked 20th in 1998, and orthopedics, which ranked 14th, after being ranked 36th in 1998.
“All of us are proud to achieve this high ranking for the University,” said Gilbert S. Omenn, executive vice president for medical affairs. “We are well-placed among the most highly respected hospitals and health systems in the whole country. It is clear that we are broadly recognized for excellence across the clinical specialties.”
Several factors were considered in compiling the rankings, including reputation with board-certified specialists, mortality statistics, nursing care and level of medical technology.
Overall, 1,881 of the nation’s 6,299 hospitals met the magazine’s eligibility requirements. The final rankings encompass 188 hospitals.
The Hospitals were ranked 10th in 1997 and 15th in 1996.
The concept and design of the statistical model used for the rankings were created by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. They are based on a theme called the Donabedian paradigm, created by Avedis Donabedian, U-M professor emeritus of health management and policy.
Specialty rankings
Ear, nose and throat—7
Geriatrics—7
Hormonal disorders—8
Rehabilitation—8
Cancer—9
Rheumatology—9
Respiratory disorders—11
Digestive tract—13
Neurology and neurosurgery—14
Orthopedics—14
Gynecology—17
Psychiatry—18
Urology—23
Cardiology and heart surgery—28
