UC Irvine Medical Center rated tops in OC

U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural metropolitan-area hospital ranking released Tuesday, March 29, recognizes UC Irvine Medical Center as the top caregiver in Orange County and fourth-best out of 44 facilities in the Los Angeles region.

Citing UC Irvine’s excellence in eight specialties, the new roster complements the magazine’s annual list of America’s Best Hospitals, which has acknowledged UC Irvine for 10 consecutive years.

“UC Irvine Medical Center’s mission is based on a commitment to
top-notch patient care and excellence in research that translates to
better bedside treatment,” said hospital CEO Terry A. Belmont. “Our
inclusion on another best-hospitals list is a testament to our
outstanding medical faculty, nurses and staff. I congratulate all of
them.”

UC Irvine is the only Orange County medical center included among America’s Best Hospitals. In the 2010 ranking, it’s rated 30th for gynecology, 32nd for urology and 46th for ear, nose & throat. Since 2001, the magazine has cited UCI programs in cancer, digestive disorders, kidney disease and ear, nose & throat, with multiple rankings in urology, gynecology and geriatrics.

In its new list, U.S. News & World Report ranks 622 hospitals in or near major cities with a record of high performance in key medical specialties. To be ranked in its metro area, a hospital had to score in the top 25 percent among its peers in at least one of 16 specialties. Orange County was included in the Los Angeles metro area. There are nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide.

Another sign of excellence is the more than 90 UC Irvine physicians named to the 2011-12 Best Doctors in America list, the most of any hospital in the county. UC Irvine also has more specialties represented, 31, than any other facility in Orange County.