US News and World Report
July 16, 2012
By LAURA MCMULLEN
Almost everyone needs a hospital sooner or later. When you do—whether for an aging parent, a sick child, your spouse, or yourself—you’ll face a crucial decision: which medical center to turn to.
Which hospital is the right one depends, of course, on the patient’s needs and location. Whether he faces a tricky joint surgery or a complex heart problem, whether she lives in a big city or a rural expanse, the U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings offer grounded guidance to supplement what patients learn from their healthcare providers. The rankings—now in their 23rd year—feature data on nearly 5,000 hospitals across the country. They span 16 medical specialties, from cancer to urology, and identify top hospitals in several hundred regions, including all major metropolitan areas. No matter where you live or what kind of care you’re seeking, you can find essential data on how medical centers near and far stack up…
[See the Rankings: Best Hospitals 2012-13]