Methodology

Abstract

U.S. News & World Report published the first Best Hospitals rankings in 1990 to identify the best medical centers for the most difficult patients—those whose illness poses unusual challenges because of an underlying condition, the particular procedure, or other medical issues that add risk.
Often more than one factor may apply.

The rankings have been published annually since their initial appearance. The focus on the most difficult patients has not changed.

Pediatric patients present special challenges. Their small size relative to adults complicates every facet of care from intubation to drug dosages, they are more vulnerable to infection, they depend on adults to manage and administer their medications and they are born with congenital diseases such as spina bifida and cystic fibrosis.