Five specialties also placed in top 10 of “Best Children’s “Hospitals” report
 St. Louis, Missouri – December 29, 2008 – St. Louis Children’s Hospital is among the top 5 pediatric hospitals in the United States according to the results of a comprehensive study of more than 100 children’s hospitals released today by Parents magazine.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital‘s #5 ranking is the highest overall for the hospital since the survey began in 2001. St. Louis Children’s is the only hospital in Missouri, Illinois, and the surrounding eight-state region to make the list.
Additionally, four of the hospital’s specialty services achieved top five status in individual reports conducted by the magazine, with a fifth ranked in the top 10.
Newborn medicine and orthopedics each ranked #3; pulmonary medicine and emergency medicine ranked #4; and cardiac services ranked #6. Only six specialties were eligible for specialty rankings.
“This survey is particularly significant to us because it used detailed reports data from each hospital, so it’s a truly comprehensive and objective examination of the nation’s top children’s hospitals,” says St. Louis Children’s Hospital President Lee Fetter. “This accomplishment is a result and a reflection of the skill, expertise and dedication of our entire staff, as well as our strong partnership with the physicians at Washington University School of Medicine.”
The Parents “10 Best Children’s Hospitals” survey provides the most extensive data-driven comparison of children’s hospitals to date. All surveyed hospitals are members of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related institutions (NACHRI). Hospitals are ranked on their responses to detailed questions in the following areas: pediatric heart disease and other critical conditions; experience in performing certain complex procedures; survival rates for childhood cancer; research programs; safeguards to prevent medical errors; staffing ratios and quality; waiting times in the emergency department; community outreach; and services that address the emotional needs of sick children and their families.
“Every parent wants to make the most informed decisions about their child’s health, and that’s especially important when a child is facing a serious illness,” says Dana Points, editor-in-chief of Parents. “We created this guide with the hope of making the difficult process of choosing the right hospital a little easier.”
The survey is conducted and released every two years. St. Louis Children’s Hospital ranked #7 in the last survey published by Child magazine in 2007. When Child ceased print operations in early 2008, Parents magazine – owned by the same parent company, Meredith Corporation – took over the Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. The complete rankings can be viewed online at www.parentsmag.com and in the February 2009 issue of Parents magazine, which hits newsstands January 13.
About St. Louis Children’s Hospital: St. Louis Children’s Hospital has provided specialized care for children for more than 127 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 among the 5 Best children’s hospitals in the country. St. Louis Children’s Hospital is a member of BJC HealthCare. For more information, visit www.stlouischildrens.org.
About Parents: Parents, published monthly by Meredith Corporation, has been America’s #1 family magazine for more than 80 years. Since its inception in 1926, it has been a trusted source by every generation of parents. Currently, the magazine is a powerful community of 15.6 million readers devoted to supporting the efforts of parents, educators and other citizens who strive to make the world a better place for our children. Parents can be found online at www.parentsmag.com.
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