Alexian Brothers Health System Hospitals Named Among The 'Best Hospitals' By U.S. News & World Report

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report has released its annual Best Hospitals list for 2013-2014, and both Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove Village, and St. Alexius Medical Center, Hoffman Estates, registered notable gains on the magazine's list. 

Alexian Brothers Health System hospitals rank in the top 10 among 119 Chicago metropolitan area hospitals reviewed by the magazine. Alexian Brothers Medical Center ranked as third best hospital in the Chicago area and St. Alexius Medical Center ranked ninth. Both hospitals hold the same positions in U.S. News' statewide rankings for Illinois.

The Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 24th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients.  U.S. News evaluates hospitals in 16 adult specialties, ranking the nation's top 50 hospitals in most specialties and recognizing other high-performing hospitals that provide care at nearly the level of their nationally ranked peers. The magazine ranked Alexian Brothers Medical Center among national leaders in two specialties (Pulmonology, #35, and Ear, Nose & Throat, #49) while ranking St. Alexius 44^th nationally for Gastroenterology & GI Surgery.

High-performing specialties at Alexian Brothers Medical Center include Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Urology, according to U.S. News. Specialties designated as high-performing at St. Alexius Medical Center include Cancer, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology and Urology.

"A hospital that emerges from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of," said Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. "Only about 15 percent of hospitals are recognized for their high performance as among their region's best. Just 3 percent of all hospitals earn a national ranking in any specialty."

The new rankings "are a direct reflection of the skills and commitment of our physicians, staff and hospital administrators," says Mark A. Frey, ABHS President and Chief Executive Officer. "They work tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients." The gains achieved by both hospitals reflect the impact of best practices implemented by our health system as part of wide-ranging quality and safety initiatives launched in recent years, says Diana Woytko, ABHS Vice President of Patient Safety and Quality.

U.S. News publishes Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face a particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age. Objective measures such as patient survival and safety data, the adequacy of nurse staffing levels and other data largely determined the U.S. News rankings in most specialties. The Chicago metropolitan Best Hospitals rankings can be found at: http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/chicago-il

SOURCE Alexian Brothers Health System