Claire Dawson
US News & World Report's hospital rankings are influential and often-cited in grading the care that hospitals deliver. The rankings are meant to be used by patients and are based on various factors, including the complexity of patient care, the number of patients treated, and the level of care provided. US News evaluates nearly 6,000 hospitals each year, more than any other public hospital ranking system. The rankings include the top hospitals in the US and, more recently, in 30 countries worldwide. The rankings are based on a variety of criteria, including patient outcomes, specialty, and procedures and conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ranking Body | US News & World Report |
| Number of Hospitals Evaluated | Nearly 5,000-6,000 |
| Ranking Factors | Patient outcomes, risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, level of nursing care, patient experience, socioeconomic status, etc. |
| Specialty Rankings | Cancer, cardiology, neurology, rheumatology, nephrology, otolaryngology, etc. |
| Geographic Scope | United States |
| Publication Frequency | Annual |
| Latest Publication Year | 2024-2025 |
| Publication Channels | US News & World Report's "Best Hospitals 2025 Guidebook", online rankings, social media |
| Related Publications | US News & World Report's Best Hospitals 2025 guidebook, US News Doctor Finder |
| Related Initiatives | Best Leaders recognition program |
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What You'll Learn
US News & World Report's ranking methodology
US News & World Report's hospital rankings are influential and often cited in grading the care that hospitals deliver. The rankings are meant to be used by patients, and hospitals utilise them in their advertising. US News evaluates nearly 6,000 hospitals each year—more than any other public hospital ranking system. All non-military US hospitals are put through a rigorous eligibility process that includes factors such as the complexity of care patients require, the number of patients treated, and the level of care a hospital is able to provide.
The ranking process involves evaluating each hospital's performance on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, and the level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from millions of records provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The major outcome measure in the data-driven rankings is 30-day patient survival (how many patients are alive 30 days after inpatient hospital admission). Other outcome factors include post-hospital rehabilitation rankings that focus on measures for preventing readmissions – all areas of primary care activity.
The Best Hospitals specialty rankings are meant for patients with life-threatening or rare conditions who need a hospital that excels in treating complex, high-risk cases. Hospitals are awarded Honor Roll points if they rank in one or more of the 15 specialties that US News evaluates – the more points for higher rankings – and if they are rated "High Performing" in one or more of the 20 procedures and conditions. US News ranks the best hospitals in the US by specialty, including cancer, neurology, rheumatology, and more.
US News & World Report has demonstrated a motivation to improve its ranking system. Recently, numerous methodological changes were announced that include incorporating patient experience, adjusting for socioeconomic status, expanding the definition of transfers, expanding years of data included, and assessing discharges to home.
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Patient outcomes and survival rates
US News & World Report's hospital rankings are influential and often cited in grading the care that hospitals deliver. The rankings are meant to be used by patients, and hospitals cite them in their advertising. US News evaluates nearly 6,000 hospitals each year, putting them through a rigorous eligibility process that includes factors such as the complexity of care, the number of patients treated, and the level of care provided.
The rankings are based on four elements: outcomes, process, structure, and expert opinion. Outcomes refer to how well patients survive or recover, including the survival rate and the rate at which patients are able to return home rather than needing additional institutional care. In the pediatric orthopedic rankings, for example, a third of each hospital's score was tied to outcomes such as survival, infections, and surgical complications. In cardiology and heart surgery, outcomes counted for 38.3% of the score, while in behavioral health, outcomes counted for 20%.
US News compares the number of Medicare inpatients with certain conditions who died within 30 days of admission over three years with the number who would be expected to die given the severity of their illness. Hospitals are scored from 1 to 5, with 5 indicating the highest statistical likelihood that the survival rate was better than expected and 1 indicating that survival rates were worse than expected. The rankings have been criticized for their historical reliance on reputation versus objective metrics. For example, deaths can be attributed to a specialty even if the patient was not cared for by that specialty or if the diagnosis was not the cause of death. This can impact the hospital's overall ranking score and may discourage patients from choosing a specialty group that takes care of a significant number of end-stage disease patients.
To improve transparency, USNWR has made changes to its methodology, including incorporating patient experience, adjusting for socioeconomic status, and expanding the definition of transfers. These changes have likely motivated institutions to focus more on improving patient experience and discharge to home, which can be reflected in the rankings. However, more can be done, such as accounting for the culture of safety among staff and efforts to advance equitable care.
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Hospitals' advertising and patient decisions
Hospital advertising has been on the rise in recent years, with a reported $29 billion spent on healthcare advertising in the US in 2016 alone. In theory, direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising in the healthcare sector allows organizations to inform consumers about the breadth and quality of their services, improving consumer decision-making. However, in practice, DTC advertising in healthcare has been criticized for including misleading or inaccurate statements, potentially influencing consumers to opt for unnecessary services.
Studies have shown that hospital advertising does influence patient perceptions and subsequent choice behavior. Patients' decisions are impacted by factors such as technology, transportation, and personnel competency, with electronic and social media platforms playing a significant role in promoting certain behaviors and influencing decision-making. However, patients often find their friends' recommendations more reliable than hospital advertisements.
U.S. News & World Report's (USNWR) hospital rankings are widely recognized and influential in grading hospital care. These rankings are intended to guide patients in making critical health decisions, especially for those with rare or life-threatening conditions requiring specialized treatment. USNWR rankings are commonly used by hospitals in their advertising, with the majority of hospital leaders deeming them accurate. However, USNWR has faced criticism for its historical reliance on reputation versus objective metrics, and issues with specialty ranking methodology have been identified.
USNWR has demonstrated a commitment to improvement, implementing changes such as incorporating patient experience, adjusting for socioeconomic status, and expanding the definition of transfers. While these changes are a step in the right direction, there is still room for further enhancement, including considering the culture of safety among staff and efforts to promote equitable and population health.
In conclusion, hospital advertising and patient decisions are intricately linked, with advertising spending and strategies influencing patient choices. While U.S. News & World Report's hospital rankings play a significant role in guiding patients, there are ongoing efforts to enhance the objectivity and accuracy of these rankings.
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US News' influence on hospital selection
US News & World Report's (USNWR) hospital rankings are influential in grading the care that hospitals deliver. USNWR intends for patients to use these rankings when choosing a hospital, and hospitals cite USNWR ratings in most (61%) of their direct-to-patient advertising. A survey of hospital leaders indicated that the vast majority (87%) felt that the USNWR rankings were accurate and used them to advertise hospital quality.
The USNWR rankings have been criticized for their historical reliance on reputation versus objective metrics. In response, USNWR has shifted to focus more on seemingly objective metrics, particularly mortality, which can be quantifiably measured using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-based data. USNWR has also demonstrated a willingness to improve, implementing numerous methodological changes, including incorporating patient experience, adjusting for socioeconomic status, and expanding the definition of transfers.
USNWR ranks the best hospitals in the US by state, specialty, and more. Hospitals receive points for being ranked in a specialty, and the top-scoring hospitals in each specialty are showcased. USNWR evaluates nearly 6,000 hospitals each year, putting them through a rigorous eligibility process that considers factors such as the complexity of care patients require, the number of patients treated, and the level of care a hospital can provide. USNWR's data analysis includes information on millions of Medicare beneficiaries and medical claims over a 5-7 year period across various medical specialties and surgical procedures or treatments.
The USNWR rankings can help patients with life-threatening or rare conditions find a hospital that excels in treating complex, high-risk cases. They are also useful for patients seeking information about a rare condition or difficult diagnosis that isn't treated at many facilities. However, it's important to note that hospital mortality rates have limitations in predicting the quality of care due to flaws in methodology and variability in assessing comorbidities.
In conclusion, the USNWR hospital rankings have a significant influence on hospital selection, providing patients with valuable information to make informed decisions. However, it's essential to consider the limitations and criticisms of the rankings and continue striving for more rigorous reporting and measurement of healthcare provider performance.
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Global rankings and comparisons
US News & World Report is a well-known source for hospital rankings, with an annual ranking of the best hospitals in the US. The publication is committed to transparency, providing detailed documentation for hospitals and an overview for patients. US News evaluates nearly 6,000 hospitals each year, including all non-military US hospitals, and its data analysis includes information on more than 67 million Medicare beneficiaries and around 1.5 billion medical claims over a 5-7 year period. The ranking criteria include outcomes (patient survival and recovery rates), processes (adherence to standards of care), and structure (hospital resources and technology). US News also ranks hospitals by state and specialty, with the latter intended for patients with rare or life-threatening conditions who require complex, high-risk treatment.
US News & World Report's hospital rankings have been praised for their transparency and influence in guiding patient decision-making. The rankings are often cited by hospitals in their advertising and utilised by hospital leaders to assess and promote their quality of care. However, the rankings have also faced criticism for their historical reliance on reputation rather than objective metrics. For instance, flaws in the current methodology of risk adjustment and specialty ranking have been identified, which can impact the accuracy of the rankings and influence patient choices.
In response to criticisms, US News & World Report has demonstrated a commitment to improvement by incorporating iterative changes. For instance, the 2024-2025 rankings included new data on patient experience, socioeconomic status, and outpatient care, with a focus on equitable access. These changes align with the organisation's position as a global leader in quality rankings across various sectors, empowering consumers, leaders, and officials to make informed decisions.
Newsweek, in partnership with the global research firm Statista, also publishes an annual ranking of the World's Best Hospitals. The 2025 ranking includes the top hospitals in 30 countries, selected based on comparability factors such as standard of living, life expectancy, population size, number of hospitals, and data availability. The ranking process involves an extensive evaluation, including an online survey of thousands of medical experts worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
US News & World Report Hospital Rankings is a global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. They evaluate nearly 5,000 hospitals in the US and 30 countries worldwide on various factors, including patient outcomes, specialties, and procedures.
US News & World Report evaluates hospitals on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, and level of nursing care. They also consider the complexity of patient care, the number of patients treated, and the hospital's resources and technologies.
The US News & World Report Hospital Rankings are updated annually. They are currently in their 35th year of ranking hospitals.
