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Upstate ranked as top hospital in Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate University Hospital has been ranked as the number one hospital in the Syracuse metro region in U.S. News & World Report's 2011-12 Best Hospitals rankings, available online at www.usnews.com/besthospitals. The rankings, annually published by U.S. News for the past 22 years, will also be featured in the U.S. News Best Hospitals guidebook, which will go on sale August 30.

Upstate was the only hospital in Syracuse region to be ranked by the news outlet. U.S. News also recognized Upstate for its care in the specialty areas of cancer; ear, nose and throat; kidney disorders; and urology.

"This recognition reflects the outstanding efforts and dedication of the Upstate medical staff in providing outstanding care to our patients and their families," said John McCabe, chief executive officer of Upstate University Hospital. "The recognition of our specialty areas further validates the hard work and commitment so many have made to enhance care for patients throughout this region."

Upstate University Hospital recently acquired Community General Hospital to become the largest hospital in the Syracuse area. Upstate's acquisition of Community was partly to assist Upstate with its growth plans as the hospital care remains much in demand. Upstate is also building a new cancer center to put all its cancer services—for children and adults—in one location. Upstate's cancer care was recognized by U.S. News as one of the region's top programs.

Hard numbers stand behind the rankings in most specialties—death rates, patient safety, procedure volume, and other objective data, according to U.S. News. Responses to a national survey, in which physicians were asked to name hospitals they consider best in their specialty for the toughest cases, also were factored in.

The rankings cover 16 medical specialties and all 94 metro areas that have at least 500,000 residents and at least one hospital that performed well enough to be ranked.

The latest rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide. Each is ranked among the country's top hospitals in at least one medical specialty and/or ranked among the best hospitals in its metro area.

The core mission of Best Hospitals is to help guide patients who need an especially high level of care because of a difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age. "These are referral centers where other hospitals send their sickest patients," said Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. "Hospitals like these are ones you or those close to you should consider when the stakes are high."

Covering 94 metro areas in the U.S., the regional hospital rankings complement the national rankings by including hospitals with solid performance nearly at the level of nationally ranked institutions. The regional rankings are aimed primarily at consumers whose care may not demand the special expertise found only at a nationally ranked Best Hospital or who may not be willing or able to travel long distances for medical care. The U.S. News metro rankings give many such patients and their families more options of hospitals within their community and in their health insurance network.

"These are hospitals we call ‘high performers.' They are fully capable of giving most patients first-rate care, even if they have serious conditions or need demanding procedures," Comarow said. "Almost every major metro area has at least one of these hospitals."

Upstate University Hospital is the teaching hospital of SUNY Upstate Medical University.

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