MANKATO, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato is among the nation’s Best Regional Hospitals 2011-12, according to U.S. News & World Report, publisher of “Best Hospitals.” It is the only hospital in southwest/south-central Minnesota to receive this ranking.
U.S. News annually publishes the Best Hospitals rankings in July. At the midpoint of 2011-12, U.S. News editors have recognized 247 hospitals outside the major metropolitan areas as Best Regional Hospitals. The list of those hospitals is available online at www.usnews.com/bestregionalhospitals.
“We are honored to be included in the first-ever listing in U.S. News & World Report of Best Regional Hospitals,” says Greg Kutcher, M.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in the region. “This recognition is a reflection of the commitment by our providers and staff to put the needs of our patients first every day.”
Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., and Mayo Clinic Rochester also made the list of Best Regional Hospitals.
Hospitals like Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato and Eau Claire offer a high level of medical care to communities that otherwise might have limited options, said Avery Comarow, U.S. News health rankings editor. “All Best Regional Hospitals are what we call ‘high performers’ in at least one medical specialty,” Comarow said. “They are fully capable of providing first-rate care, even to most patients who have serious conditions or need demanding procedures.”
U.S. News annually evaluates nearly 5,000 hospitals in 16 different medical specialties. Hard numbers stand behind its analysis in most specialties — death rates, patient safety, procedure volume, and other objective data. Physicians’ responses to a national survey, in which specialists are asked to name hospitals they consider best in their specialty for the toughest cases, also are factored in.
Mayo Clinic has been included in U.S. News’ annual list of “Best Hospitals” for 22 years. Hospitals included in the Honor Roll, such as Mayo Clinic, are part of a small group recognized for “breadth of excellence,” according to the magazine.
