US News & World Report Ranks Christiana Care Among America's 'Best Hospitals'

Only Delaware Hospital Listed

WILMINGTON, Del., July 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Christiana Care once again ranks as one of the nation's best hospitals.

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In its annual Best Hospitals edition, US News & World Report places Christiana Care among the top 50 listings in 2 specialties – Gastroenterology and Urology.

It is the fourth straight year the publication has recognized Christiana Care, the only hospital in Delaware to make the list. Of more than 4,800 U.S. hospitals evaluated this year, only a select 152 – or three percent – are included.

"Best hospitals in the rankings provide the highest level of care in complex, demanding situations," says Robert Laskowski, M.D., president and CEO of Christiana Care Health System, which includes Wilmington and Christiana hospitals. "Receiving national recognition for four consecutive years demonstrates that our doctors, nurses and allied health professionals provide exceptional care to our patients and our community and underscores our reputation as a premier health care provider."

To receive this prestigious honor, the magazine uses a methodology that ranks hospitals on several metrics including mortality rates, a patient safety index, number of patients cared for, quality of nursing care, use of advanced technology and a trauma center.

"When the stakes are high, you want the best care you can get for yourself or someone close to you," says US News' Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow. "These hospitals are accustomed to seeing the sickest patients day in and day out."

In the past three years, Christiana Care has also received top rankings in Ear, Nose and Throat, Endocrinology, Digestive and Respiratory Disorders.

US News and World Report's Best Hospitals 2010-11 is available on newsstands Tuesday, July 27. For a detailed listing of the rankings, visit www.usnews.com/besthospitals.

About Christiana Care Health System

Christiana Care Health System, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, is one of the country's largest health care providers, ranking 17th in the nation for hospital admissions. Christiana Care is a major teaching hospital with two campuses and more than 240 Medical-Dental residents and fellows. Christiana Care is recognized as a regional center for excellence in cardiology, cancer and women's health services. The system is home to Delaware's only Level I trauma center (highest capability). Christiana Care also features a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit, the only delivering hospital in the state to offer this level of care for newborns.

A not-for-profit organization, Christiana Care includes two hospitals with more than 1,100 patient beds, a home health care service, preventive medicine, rehabilitation services, a network of primary care physicians and an extensive range of outpatient services. With more than 10,000 employees, Christiana Care is the largest private employer in Delaware and the 10th largest employer in the Philadelphia region. In Fiscal Year 2009 Christiana Care had more than $1.9 billion in total patient revenue and provided the community with $46.8 million in free care and medicine. Find more information at www.christianacare.org

SOURCE Christiana Care Health System