Ochsner Among 35 Hospitals In America Nationally Ranked In 8 Or More Specialties By U.S. News

NEW ORLEANS, July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ochsner Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus* have been ranked among the best hospitals in the country in eight medical specialties, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2013-14 Best Hospitals rankings. Only 35 hospitals in the country ranked in eight or more specialties. The rankings recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients. This is the 13^th time since 1996 Ochsner has been recognized as one of the Best Hospitals in America, and in the past three years, Ochsner has ranked nationally in seven or more medical specialties.

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U.S. News publishes Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age. The rankings are based on a comprehensive evaluation of hard data, such as patient survival rates, patient safety data, nurse staffing, patient services and available technology, in addition to a reputational score based on surveyed physicians.

Fewer than 150 of the country's roughly 5,000 hospitals are nationally ranked in at least one specialty; Ochsner earned national rankings in eight of the 12 data-driven medical specialties. 

"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 three percent of all hospitals earn a national ranking in any specialty."

Ochsner Medical Center (in conjunction with Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus) was ranked #1 in Louisiana and #1 in the New Orleans metro area and Ochsner Medical Center– Kenner was ranked #2 in the New Orleans metro area and #6 in Louisiana. They also were recognized among the Best Hospitals in Southeastern Louisiana.

Ochsner Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus are:

• Nationally ranked #16 in Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
• Nationally ranked #21 in Diabetes & Endocrinology
• Nationally ranked #24 in Pulmonology
• Nationally ranked #24 in Cardiology & Heart Surgery
• Nationally ranked #31 in Orthopedics
• Nationally ranked #35 in Neurology & Neurosurgery
• Nationally ranked #42 in Geriatrics
• Nationally ranked #45 in Nephrology

In addition, the Ochsner hospitals received High Performing rankings in several categories, which means each met a standard of performance nearly as demanding as that of the national rankings.

Ochsner Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus are:

• High performing in Cancer
• High performing in Ear, Nose & Throat
• High performing in Gynecology
• High performing in Urology

Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner is:

• High performing in Gastroenterology & GI Surgery

"Ochsner has been consistently named among the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report," said Warner Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ochsner Health System. "This shows how well our Ochsner physicians and our independent physicians have worked together to build a nationally recognized, high-quality healthcare organization focused on serving our patients."

"Our top priority has always been to provide the best possible care for our patients and the community," said Dr. Joseph Bisordi, Chief Medical Officer of Ochsner Health System. "We have the right people and processes in place which contributes to our successes, and we continue to strive for improvement."

"The U.S. News rankings set a benchmark for an exceptionally high level of performance, expertise and specialty care so that our patients experience the best possible outcomes," said Robert Wolterman, CEO of Ochsner Medical Center. "Ochsner's national rankings show that we have world class healthcare right here in New Orleans."

The rankings have been published at http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals and will appear in print in the U.S. News Best Hospitals 2014 guidebook, available in bookstores and on newsstands August 27.

*Ochsner's quality metrics include data from both Ochsner Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus.

About Ochsner Health System
Ochsner Health System is southeast Louisiana's largest non-profit, academic, multi-specialty, healthcare delivery system.  Driven by a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate, coordinated clinical and hospital patient care is provided across the region by nine hospitals, both owned and managed, and more than 40 health centers in Louisiana. Ochsner has been named the Consumer Choice for Healthcare in New Orleans for 17 consecutive years and is the only Louisiana hospital recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a "Best Hospital" across 11 specialty categories. Ochsner employs more than 14,000 employees, over 900 physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties and conducts over 300 clinical research trials annually. Ochsner Health System is proud to be a tobacco-free environment. For more information, please visit ochsner.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is a multi-platform publisher of news and analysis, which includes the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine, www.usnews.com, and www.rankingsandreviews.com. Focusing on Health, Personal Finance, Education, Travel, Cars, and Public Service/Opinion, U.S. News has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. U.S. News & World Report's signature franchise includes its News You Can Use® brand of journalism and its annual "Best" series of consumer web guides and publications that include rankings of colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, mutual funds, health plans, and more.

SOURCE Ochsner Health System