Best West Virginia and U.S. Hospitals 2015-2016: U.S. News
The U.S. News Best Hospitals Annual Rankings: What it Means and When it Matters
Morgantown, WV, USA – October 23, 2011: West Virginia University, Ruby Memorial Hospital Entrance
“The mission of the Best Hospitals annual rankings, now in their 26th year, is to help guide patients whose care poses a challenge because their surgery or other treatment may be especially complex, or because their risk may be heightened due to advanced age, physical infirmity, or an existing medical condition,” said U.S. News. Although such patients only account for 2 to 3 percent of all hospital patients, that still adds up to millions of individuals each year.
According to U.S. News Best Hospitals Rankings, also known as Best Hospitals, most hospitals are not the right place for these at risk patients. So they evaluated 4,716 hospitals in 16 specialties and narrowed them down to 137. These 137 Best Hospitals were selected based on data from the federal government, hospitals’ reputation among physicians, patient safety and survival scores, and other care-related indicators.
Best Hospitals in West Virginia 2015-2016
Although none of West Virginia’s hospitals are nationally ranked, two hospitals meet national high performing standards and were ranked best of the state. According to U.S. News annual rankings, the best hospitals in West Virginia are are West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown, West Virginia and Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, West Virginia. In the 2014-2015 Best Hospitals rankings, St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia was ranked 3rd in West Virginia. However, it was not ranked this year.
#1 West Virginia University Hospitals
WVU Hospitals is a general medical and surgical hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia and performed nearly at the level of nationally ranked hospitals in 5 adult specialties. WVU Hospitals, which includes Ruby Memorial, achieved high performing scores in the following specialties: cancer, nephrology, orthopedics, pulmonology, and urology.
Adult Medical Procedures/Conditions Ratings
WVU Hospitals was rated average for the following medical procedures or conditions: heart failure, heart bypass surgery, hip replacement, knee replacement, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
#2 Charleston Area Medical Center
CAMC is also a general medical and surgical hospital, and it’s located in Charleston, West Virginia. CAMC performed nearly at the level of nationally ranked hospitals in 4 adult specialties including diabetes & endocrinology, gastroenterology & gi surgery, nephrology, and pulmonology.
Adult Procedures and Conditions Ratings
CAMC was rated high for treating heart failure, average for treating heart bypass surgery, hip replacement, and knee replacement. It was rated below average for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Here is a link to almost all of the hospitals in West Virginia and how they rate for certain medical procedures and conditions.
The U.S. News Honor Roll — Best Hospitals Closest to West Virginia Overall
U.S. News evaluated 5,000 hospitals for its 2015-2016 rankings, and only 15 made the US News Best Hospitals Honor Roll. This honor is given to hospitals with unusually broad expertise in at least six of the 16 Best Hospital Specialties. Although none of these hospitals are in West Virginia, there are three within a reasonable drive.
Not surprisingly, Cleveland Clinic made the list and is ranked 5th overall according to Best Hospitals. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) was ranked 13th overall, and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina was ranked 14th.
Free Case Evaluation a West Virginia Medical Negligence Lawyer
We hope you get the medical care you need and deserve from many of the outstanding doctors in West Virginia. Unfortunately though, medical errors are now a major cause of death and injury in West Virginia and the United States as a whole. If you suspect you or a loved one has been injured or died because of negligent medical care or error, we invite you to call West Law Firm for a free case evaluation. There’s No Fee unless and until you recover financial compensation. Our toll free number is 1-877-943-9378.
Brooks West is a West Virginia personal injury lawyer who helps people who have been injured by negligence or wrongful conduct. He is the President and founder of West Law Firm and has been an attorney since 2005. Brooks is a Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum member and has been awarded the AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Lance Bork 
