Competition tight in annual “top hospital” rankings

Editor's Note: 

The 250 best hospitals in the US perform at such a high level that those at the lower end of the rankings aren’t much different from those at the higher end, according to a January 23 report from Chief Healthcare Executive. Released annually by Healthgrades, the 2024 "Top Hospitals" list also contains surprises in the form of smaller, less-well-known hospitals, the article notes.

To make the list, a hospital must demonstrate years of excellence, the report notes, adding that most among the top 100 have been recognized among the top 50 for at least 5 consecutive years. Based on largely an examination of Medicare data from 2020 through 2022, the list is intended to help patients find doctors and hospitals and recognize which ones stand out.

This year’s list reportedly reflects an analysis of about 4,500 hospitals.