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June 18, 2009
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Children's Hospital Boston has been ranked first in Heart and Heart Surgery, Neurology and Neurosurgery and Orthopedics in the U.S. News Media Group's 2009 edition of America's Best Children's Hospitals featured in the August issue of U.S. News and World Report.

Children's Hospital Boston is one of only two hospitals to rank in the top five in all 10 specialties. Children's Hospital Boston ranks: second in Cancer, Urology, Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders; third in Digestive Disorders and Neonatal Care; fourth in Respiratory Disorders; and fifth in Kidney Disorders. Unlike the rankings in previous years, this edition does not rank the overall institutions, instead it identifies and honor roll of the 10 hospitals that rank in all 10 specialties.

"We're honored by the rankings, but also recognize that we must continue to challenge ourselves to ensure that our patients and families receive the best quality care and service possible," says James Mandell, MD, CEO of Children's Hospital Boston.

According to U.S. News, the purpose of the "America's Best Children's Hospitals" issue is to assist consumers in identifying medical institutions known to demonstrate the highest level of expertise in diagnosing, treating, or managing difficult medical conditions.

"Children's Hospital Boston is a perennial leader because of the unwavering commitment to excellence from our caregivers, researchers, employees and volunteers," says Sandra Fenwick, President and COO of Children's Hospital Boston.

The methodology behind this year's rankings weighed a three-part blend of reputation, outcome, and care-related measures such as nursing care, advanced technology, credentialing, and other factors. The hospitals were judged based on a combination of opinions from pediatric specialists about the hospitals they would recommend for the sickest children and data gathered in a 65-page survey covering important medical information ranging from surgical death rates to whether pediatric anesthesiologists and other sub specialists are on the staff. A detailed description of the methodology can be found at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals.

Ranking-eligible facilities were largely drawn from two membership categories of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI): freestanding children's hospitals, or "hospitals within a hospital" (large, multidisciplinary pediatric departments within a medical center). Several non-NACHRI members were added because of known expertise or at the recommendation of experts. Of the 160 children's hospitals invited to complete the 65-page survey, 98 responded. The survey was created and administered by RTI International, the same respected research organization that collects the data and oversees the methodology behind the adult Best Hospitals rankings.

Contact

Rob Graham
Children's Hospital Boston
617-919-3110
rob.graham@childrens.harvard.edu

Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is a 397-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs and diversity of children and families. Children's also is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information about the hospital and its research visit www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom.

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