Children’s is the only Missouri hospital to rank in all survey categories
ST. LOUIS – June 18, 2009 – St. Louis Children’s Hospital-Washington University has been named among the nation’s elite pediatric hospitals on the Honor Roll of U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 listing of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.
 Just 10 pediatric hospitals, including St. Louis Children’s Hospital, made the Honor Roll by ranking in all 10 specialties evaluated. Hospitals are ranked in cancer, diabetes and endocrine disorders, digestive disorders, heart and heart surgery, kidney disorders, neonatal care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, respiratory disorders, and urology. The specialty listing is the most extensive ever conducted by the magazine across pediatric hospitals.
“While many families bring their children to us from other states and countries, local families tell us how comforting it is to know that such nationally-recognized care is close by in their community,” says Lee Fetter, president of St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “This honor affirms the hard work and dedication of our staff and physician partners at Washington University School of Medicine, who give their best for every child and family, every day.”
This is the seventh consecutive year St. Louis Children’s Hospital has been honored by U.S.News, published online at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals and featured in the August issue of U.S.News & World Report, available on newsstands starting July 21, 2009.
“While they might be a small percentage of all hospital patients, a large number of children every year need high-quality hospital care,” said 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're providing important information on the best of the best."
About the 2009 Rankings
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, and data gathered in a 65-page survey covering important medical information ranging from surgical death rates to whether pediatric anesthesiologists and other subspecialists are on the 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 “hospitals within a hospital” (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
St. Louis Children's Hospital has provided specialized care for children for more than 129 years. The hospital is affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, ranked the number three medical school in the country by US News & World Report. In 2009, Parents magazine ranked St. Louis Children's Hospital #5 among their 1 0Best children's hospitals in the country. In 2005, St. Louis Children’s Hospital received the Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence. St. Louis Children's Hospital is a member of BJC HealthCare. For more information visit stlouischildrens.org.
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