Each of our annual independent studies noted below is founded on transparent methodologies. Criteria for qualifying hospitals and key performance measures are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the methodology highlights posted for each of the three studies.
Public data sources include:
- Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR)
- Medicare Hospital Cost Report Information System (HCRIS)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare
100 Top Hospitals
Qualifying hospitals
Short-term, acute care, nonfederal US hospitals treating a broad spectrum of patients.
Key performance measures
- Risk-adjusted mortality index (in-hospital)
- Risk-adjusted complications index
- Mean healthcare-associated infection index
- Mean 30-day mortality rate
- Mean 30-day readmission rate
- Severity-adjusted average length of stay
- Mean emergency department throughput
- Inpatient expense per discharge (case mix and wage-adjusted)
- Medicare spend per beneficiary index
- Adjusted operating profit margin
- HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) score indicating patient ratings of overall hospital performance
50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals
Qualifying hospitals
Short-term, acute care, nonfederal US hospitals with an open heart program. Specialty heart hospitals are included.
Key performance measures
- Risk-adjusted inpatient mortality index
- Risk-adjusted complications index
- Percentage of CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) patients with internal mammary artery use
- 30-day mortality rate
- 30-day readmission rate
- Severity-adjusted average length of stay
- Wage- and severity-adjusted average cost per case
- 30-day episode payment
15 Top Health Systems
Qualifying health systems
A health system must have at least two short-term, acute care, nonfederal US hospitals that report a parent or related organization in their cost report. Specialty hospitals, such as Womens', Orthopedics, Cardiac, and Critical Access, are included in the study if they belong to a system.
Key performance measures
- Risk-adjusted mortality index (in-hospital)
- Risk-adjusted complications index
- Mean healthcare associated infection index
- Mean 30-day mortality rate
- Mean 30-day readmission rate
- Severity-adjusted average length of stay
- Mean emergency department throughput
- Medicare spend per beneficiary index
- HCAHPS score (patient overall hospital rating)