Nothing But the Best?

For patients with acute MI, the best hospital may not be among “America’s Best.”

The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of “America’s Best Hospitals” are among the most visible of the rapidly proliferating reports that evaluate hospitals. Whether the hospitals ranked by U.S. News & World Report generate the best outcomes for patients with common conditions, such as acute MI, has not been closely examined. Using a methodology endorsed by the National Quality Forum, researchers assessed risk-standardized 30-day mortality rates (RSMRs) after acute MI in Medicare patients at 3863 American hospitals, 50 of which were ranked by U.S. News & World Report as “America’s Best” for cardiovascular disease, in 2003.

Overall, RSMR was lower among U.S. News & World Report-ranked hospitals than among non-ranked hospitals (16% vs. 1…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)