U.S. News Names St. Louis Children's Among the Nation's Best
St. Louis Children’s Hospital once again ranks among the nation’s top children’s hospitals
Children’s is one of only 17 hospitals to be ranked in all seven survey categories
St. Louis, Missouri – May 30, 2008– St. Louis Children’s Hospital has been recognized as one of the nation’s top 
children’s hospitals in all of the seven specialties rated by US News & World Report in the 2008 edition of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.”
St. Louis Children’s Hospital ranked 6tth in neurology and neurosurgery, 11th in neonatal care, 12th in respiratory disorders, 17th in general pediatrics, cancer care, heart and heart surgery, and 23rd in digestive disorders.
The rankings for this year’s America’s Best Children’s Hospitals were based on a new and improved methodology that weighed a three-part blend of reputation, outcome, and care-related measures such as nursing care, advanced technology, credentialing, and other factors. The magazine also turned to a roster of nearly 50 experts at top U.S. children’s hospitals, who were in turn divided into specialty panels to develop recommendations for each of the seven specialties in this year’s survey. A detailed description of the survey methodology can be found online at www.usnews.com/pediatrics.
“I talk to many parents at our hospital, many of whom have traveled great distances (including every state in the U.S.and 60 countries around the world) to receive the best medical care possible,” says Hospital President Lee Fetter. “It should be comforting to parents in the metro St. Louis area to know they have nationally-recognized care at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine,in their own backyard.”
This is the sixth consecutive year St. Louis Children’s Hospital has been honored by U.S.News.
“Very sick kids need very special care,” said Senior Writer Avery Comarow, who has been editor of the America’s Best Hospitals and America’s Best Children’s Hospitals annual rankings since their inception. “The best places for them are pediatric facilities with a deep pool of expertise in their particular illness. Breaking out key specialties is crucial to help parents and other caregivers find these facilities.”
To be eligible for this year’s rankings, a medical facility had to be classified by the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) as a freestanding children’s hospital or as a children’s “hospital within a hospital” – a large, multidisciplinary pediatric service within a medical center.
Of the 143 children’s hospitals invited to complete a survey, 113 responded. The survey was constructed by RTI International, which collects the data and oversees the methodology behind the rankings.
The exclusive data will be published in the magazine’s June 9 issue, which hits newsstands June 2.
St. Louis Children's Hospital has provided specialized care for children for more than 127 years. The hospital is affiliated with WashingtonUniversitySchool of Medicine, ranked the number four medical school in the country by US News & World Report. In 2007, Child magazine ranked St. Louis Children's Hospital among the 10 best children's hospitals in the country, and second in pulmonary medicine. In 2005, St. Louis Children’s Hospital received the Magnet designation from the AmericanNursesCredentialingCenter, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence. St. Louis Children's Hospital is a member of BJC HealthCare.