North Shore University Hospital and NYU Langone-Long Island landed on the list of best hospitals in the country for the second year in a row.
Several Long Island institutions were highlighted in the annual hospital rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report, a publication that specializes in rankings and consumer advice. The Point named Manhasset and Mineola hospitals to the “honor list” of top 20 institutions nationwide. Long Island hospitals accounted for more than 30% of the top 30 facilities in New York state, according to US News & World Report.
Hospitals—and their marketing teams—are quick to highlight the data behind these determinations. US News & World Report compiles its lists by evaluating inpatient and outpatient clinical outcomes, taking into account facility staff and technology and incorporating patient and physician surveys. Although the designation may be helpful for patients, experts say the research is not as relevant to the average patient, who is considering doctor’s recommendations, insurance coverage and the ability to travel.
“It’s an objective, largely objective view of hospitals,” said Dr. Peter Silver, senior vice president and chief quality officer at Northwell Health. “I’m not that surprised by these rankings … but I want our patients and our communities to have that confidence in us as well. These surveys are important for that.”
North Shore University Hospital of Northwell was ranked first in the New York ranking, along with three other organizations. Five other Northwell facilities made the state list: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Peconic Bay Medical Center and Huntington, Plainview and South Shore University hospitals.
NYU Langone Hospital — which had data for its Mineola, Manhattan and Brooklyn hospitals collectively rated — also made the national honor roll and was ranked first in New York state.
Most of the institutions highlighted in the New York list were the same as last year. Stony Brook University Hospital — which had its records ranked along with its hospitals in Southampton and Greenport — moved from 13th place to 12th best. Peconic Bay Medical Center joined the list, while Mount Sinai South Nassau fell off it.
South Nassau spokesman Joe Calderone noted that US News & World Report recognized the Oceanside hospital as a “high performer” in several disciplines.
“The most important ranking is from our patients who rely on Mount Sinai South Nassau for quality health care,” he said.
Some experts told Newsday that the rankings may give patients the impression that only a few hospitals are outstanding, but are less clear about how similarly their peers may have performed. That would be more meaningful for most patients, who are acting on the advice of their doctors and insurance networks, they said.
Most people weighing the fourth or fifth best hospital in their region will go with the one that’s closest, said John McHugh, assistant professor of health policy and management at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Some patients shop around, he said.
“Let’s say a patient is coming from overseas to have a procedure done at an American hospital. You want to be able to say you’re ranked higher,” McHugh said.
A behavioral economist at the University of Chicago estimated that a change in the US News and World Report rankings changed hospital patient volume by an average of 5%. Implementing some of that change could help hospitals’ bottom lines, experts said. Many organizations display their “best” and “best” designations in marketing material, and some pay US News & World Report for the right to include its “badge” logo.
The publication has modified its methodology in response to criticism. Its formulas no longer give as much weight to physician surveys, a factor seen as somewhat subjective. US News & World Report has also started looking at how equal institutions are.
Hospitals should be judged on how well they care for the surrounding communities, said Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, a nonpartisan health policy group. The institute rates hospitals on clinical outcomes, as well as how often they avoid unnecessary treatment, provide community benefits and attract patient loads that represent the racial and economic demographics of their communities.
Only one regional hospital received an “A” on the Lown Institute’s list of most responsible hospitals — Northwell’s Peconic Bay Medical Center.
“We have great care for a select few in select countries, but that is not the same as a great health care system for the country,” Saini said.
North Shore University Hospital and NYU Langone-Long Island landed on the list of best hospitals in the country for the second year in a row.
Several Long Island institutions were highlighted in the annual hospital rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report, a publication that specializes in rankings and consumer advice. The Point named Manhasset and Mineola hospitals to the “honor list” of top 20 institutions nationwide. Long Island hospitals accounted for more than 30% of the top 30 facilities in New York state, according to US News & World Report.
Hospitals—and their marketing teams—are quick to highlight the data behind these determinations. US News & World Report compiles its lists by evaluating inpatient and outpatient clinical outcomes, taking into account facility staff and technology and incorporating patient and physician surveys. Although the designation may be helpful for patients, experts say the research is not as relevant to the average patient, who is considering doctor’s recommendations, insurance coverage and the ability to travel.
“It’s an objective, largely objective view of hospitals,” said Dr. Peter Silver, senior vice president and chief quality officer at Northwell Health. “I’m not that surprised by these rankings … but I want our patients and our communities to have that confidence in us as well. These surveys are important for that.”
WHAT TO KNOW
- North Shore and NYU Langone hospitals were named among the best in the country.
- Nine regional hospitals landed on a list of the best facilities in New York State
- Branding is a pillar of hospital marketing, but may not be as important to the average patient.
North Shore University Hospital of Northwell was ranked first in the New York ranking, along with three other organizations. Five other Northwell facilities made the state list: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Peconic Bay Medical Center and Huntington, Plainview and South Shore University hospitals.
NYU Langone Hospital — which had data for its Mineola, Manhattan and Brooklyn hospitals collectively rated — also made the national honor roll and was ranked first in New York state.
Most of the institutions highlighted in the New York list were the same as last year. Stony Brook University Hospital — which had its records ranked along with its hospitals in Southampton and Greenport — moved from 13th place to 12th best. Peconic Bay Medical Center joined the list, while Mount Sinai South Nassau fell off it.
South Nassau spokesman Joe Calderone noted that US News & World Report recognized the Oceanside hospital as a “high performer” in several disciplines.
“The most important ranking is from our patients who rely on Mount Sinai South Nassau for quality health care,” he said.
Some experts told Newsday that the rankings may give patients the impression that only a few hospitals are outstanding, but are less clear about how similarly their peers may have performed. That would be more meaningful for most patients, who are acting on the advice of their doctors and insurance networks, they said.
Most people weighing the fourth or fifth best hospital in their region will go with the one that’s closest, said John McHugh, assistant professor of health policy and management at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Some patients shop around, he said.
“Let’s say a patient is coming from overseas to have a procedure done at an American hospital. You want to be able to say you’re ranked higher,” McHugh said.
A behavioral economist at the University of Chicago estimated that a change in the US News and World Report rankings changed hospital patient volume by an average of 5%. Getting some of that change could help hospitals’ bottom line, experts said. Many organizations display their “best” and “best” designations in marketing material, and some pay US News & World Report for the right to include its “badge” logo.
The publication has modified its methodology in response to criticism. Its formulas no longer give as much weight to physician surveys, a factor seen as somewhat subjective. US News & World Report has also started looking at how equal institutions are.
Hospitals should be judged on how well they care for the surrounding communities, said Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, a nonpartisan health policy group. The institute rates hospitals on clinical outcomes, as well as how often they avoid unnecessary treatment, provide community benefits and attract patient loads that represent the racial and economic demographics of their communities.
Only one regional hospital received an “A” on the Lown Institute’s list of most responsible hospitals — Northwell’s Peconic Bay Medical Center.
“We have great care for a select few in select countries, but that’s not the same as a great health care system for the country,” Saini said.
Sarina Trangle covers affordability and cost of living issues and other business topics. She previously worked as an editor and reporter at amNewYork.