Acute Care Hospitals In Massachusetts: How Many?

how many acute care hospitals in massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to a plethora of acute care hospitals, which are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and contain a majority of medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and maternity beds. The state boasts 99 hospitals, 15 of which meet high U.S. News standards and are recognized as Best Regional Hospitals. Among these hospitals are some of the top-ranked institutions in the country, such as Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, which excel in various specialties. With a mix of academic medical centers, teaching hospitals, and community hospitals, Massachusetts offers a diverse range of healthcare options for its residents and patients from surrounding areas.

Characteristics Values
Number of Acute Care Hospitals in Massachusetts 99
Types of Acute Care Hospitals Academic Medical Centers (AMCs), Teaching Hospitals, and Community Hospitals
Licensing Authority Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)
Licensing Criteria Majority of medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and maternity beds
Data Sources Payer and provider-submitted data, hospital financial statements, cost reports, discharge data, and relative price data
Ranking Factors Number of specialties, journalistic methodologies, and unbiasedness
Examples of Top-Ranked Hospitals Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Tufts Medical Center

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Massachusetts has 99 hospitals, 15 of which meet high U.S. News standards

Massachusetts is home to 99 hospitals, according to U.S. News rankings. Of these, 15 meet the high standards set by U.S. News and are recognised as Best Regional Hospitals. The top-ranked hospitals in Massachusetts are Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, both in Boston. Massachusetts General Hospital is nationally ranked in 14 adult specialties and one pediatric specialty. Meanwhile, Brigham and Women's Hospital is nationally ranked in 12 adult specialties.

Other hospitals in Massachusetts that are nationally ranked in at least one adult specialty include Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, and Salem Hospital.

To be recognised as an acute care hospital in Massachusetts, a hospital must be licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and contain a majority of medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and maternity beds. Acute care hospitals in Massachusetts are categorised into five types: Academic Medical Centers (AMCs), teaching hospitals, community hospitals, specialty hospitals, and non-acute care hospitals. AMCs are characterised by extensive research and teaching programs, comprehensive resources for tertiary and quaternary care, and being principal teaching hospitals for their respective medical schools.

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Acute care hospitals are licensed under MGL Chapter 111, section 51

Acute care hospitals in Massachusetts are defined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) as hospitals that contain a majority of medical-surgical, paediatric, obstetric, and maternity beds. They are licensed under MGL Chapter 111, section 51, which outlines the requirements and regulations for establishing and maintaining such hospitals.

According to section 51, the DPH is responsible for issuing and renewing licenses for acute care hospitals. The initial license is valid for two years and can be renewed for similar terms if the hospital meets the department's rules and regulations. The law also specifies that no new acute care hospital license shall be issued unless there is a determination of a need for such a facility at the designated location. This ensures that new hospitals are established based on community needs.

In the case of new construction or alterations to existing acute care hospitals, section 51 mandates the submission of preliminary and final architectural plans to the division of hospital facilities of the department for approval. This ensures that the hospital's infrastructure meets safety standards, including fire prevention and extinguishing apparatus. Additionally, section 51 outlines the process for transferring ownership of a hospital, providing a three-month grace period for the new owner to obtain a license.

Furthermore, section 51 details the revocation process for acute care hospital licenses. The department must provide written notification at least thirty days before the revocation takes effect. During this period, the hospital cannot admit new patients, and at the end of the thirty days, all patients must be transferred or discharged. The law also specifies that the license fee for acute care hospitals will be determined annually by the commissioner of administration.

Overall, the licensing of acute care hospitals under MGL Chapter 111, section 51, ensures that these healthcare facilities meet specific standards and regulations, providing oversight and accountability in the establishment and maintenance of acute care services in Massachusetts.

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Massachusetts General Hospital is ranked first in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to numerous acute-care hospitals, which are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and contain a majority of medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and maternity beds. One of these hospitals, Massachusetts General Hospital, has been consistently recognised as one of the top hospitals in the state and the nation.

Located at 55 Fruit Street in Boston, Massachusetts, Massachusetts General Hospital is a general medical and surgical facility. It is also a teaching hospital, conducting the largest hospital-based research program in the country. The hospital has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report, which released its "Best Hospitals" list for 2024-2025, with Massachusetts General Hospital earning a spot on the annual Honor Roll. The hospital has consistently ranked among the top hospitals on the Honor Roll since its inception in 1990.

Massachusetts General Hospital is highly regarded for its exceptional patient care and expertise in various specialties. It is nationally ranked in 14 adult and 1 pediatric specialty and rated high-performing in 23 adult procedures and conditions. The hospital's performance is evaluated based on its outcomes and access to care for different socio-economic and demographic groups. Patient satisfaction is also a key factor, with surveys assessing patients' experiences during their hospital stay, including the cleanliness of their rooms, the quietness of the environment, and the quality of communication with physicians.

In addition to its national rankings, Massachusetts General Hospital has achieved regional recognition as the #1 hospital in New England. It is also the oldest and largest hospital in the region. The hospital's commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by its designation as a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recognising its superior nursing care.

The consistent top rankings of Massachusetts General Hospital reflect its dedication to providing outstanding patient care, conducting innovative research, and contributing to the advancement of healthcare in Massachusetts and beyond. Its achievements and reputation solidify its position as one of the leading hospitals in the state and the nation.

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There are five types of acute care hospitals

Acute care hospitals in Massachusetts are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and contain a majority of medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and maternity beds. These hospitals are equipped and staffed to provide short-term inpatient medical and surgical services for various illnesses, accidents, or traumas. Acute care hospitals are categorised into five types:

  • Academic Medical Centers (AMCs): AMCs are a subset of teaching hospitals. They are distinguished by their extensive research and teaching programs, comprehensive resources for tertiary and quaternary care, and their role as principal teaching hospitals for their respective medical schools. AMCs are full-service hospitals with a case mix intensity greater than 5% above the statewide average.
  • Teaching Hospitals: These hospitals report at least 25 full-time equivalent medical school residents per 100 inpatient beds, as per the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). They are not classified as AMCs.
  • Community Hospitals: Community hospitals do not meet the MedPAC definition to be classified as teaching hospitals. They have a public payer mix that does not fall under the MedPAC criteria for teaching hospitals.
  • Specialty Hospitals: These hospitals focus on specific areas of medicine or patient populations. They may include cancer centres, cardiac care centres, or children's hospitals.
  • Critical Access Hospitals: These hospitals are designed to provide essential healthcare services to rural or underserved areas. They have 25 or fewer acute care inpatient beds and maintain an average length of stay of 96 hours or less for acute care patients.

Each type of acute care hospital plays a crucial role in the healthcare system, ensuring that patients across Massachusetts have access to timely and specialised medical care.

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Acute care hospitals contain a majority of medical-surgical beds

Acute care hospitals are those that are licensed under MGL Chapter 111, section 51 and contain a majority of medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and maternity beds. According to EOSCU, approximately 91% of hospitals are acute care facilities. Acute care hospitals focus on the treatment and care of people with short-term needs, with most patients staying for 10 days or fewer. They are not equipped to handle chronic or long-term care.

In Massachusetts, acute care hospitals are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). The MassDEP GIS Group developed the original dataset by geocoding a table of hospitals provided by the Massachusetts Division of Healthcare Finance & Policy. The data is compiled from various sources, including hospital audited financial statements, hospital cost reports, hospital discharge data, and relative price data.

The definition of acute care hospitals in Massachusetts includes those with a 24-hour emergency department, but not all facilities in this category have an emergency department. The data layer also includes attributes such as adult and pediatric trauma levels and special public funding.

Acute care hospitals in Massachusetts can be categorized into five types:

  • Academic Medical Centers (AMCs): AMCs are a subset of teaching hospitals with extensive research and teaching programs. They have comprehensive resources for tertiary and quaternary care and are principal teaching hospitals for their respective medical schools. AMCs are full-service hospitals with a case mix intensity greater than 5% above the statewide average.
  • Teaching Hospitals: These hospitals report at least 25 full-time equivalent medical school residents per 100 inpatient beds, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC).
  • Community Hospitals: These are nonfederal, short-term general, or specialty hospitals serving the broader community. They may include academic medical centers or other teaching hospitals.

Overall, acute care hospitals in Massachusetts are defined by their focus on short-term patient care and their majority of medical-surgical beds, with additional categories based on their specific functions and affiliations.

Frequently asked questions

There are 99 hospitals in Massachusetts, 15 of which meet high U.S. News standards. Acute care hospitals are licensed under MGL Chapter 111, section 51, and contain a majority of medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and maternity beds.

Acute care hospitals are categorized into five types: Academic Medical Centers (AMCs), teaching hospitals, community hospitals, specialty hospitals, and non-acute care hospitals.

AMCs are characterized by extensive research and teaching programs, comprehensive resources for tertiary and quaternary care, and being principal teaching hospitals for their respective medical schools.

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