The Top 15 U.S. Hospital Systems

Thomson Reuters has released the names of the nation's top 15 hospital systems, according to a news brief. The results are included in the organization's fourth annual study of U.S. health care systems.

Researchers analyzed quality of care; patient perception of care; efficiency; length of stay; mortality rates; and patient safety. Only U.S. health systems with more than two non-federal hospitals were considered.

The results are broken down into three comparison groups based on the total operating expense of each system (TOE):

Large Health Systems (more than $1.5 billion in TOE)

• Banner Health, Phoenix, AZ
• CareGroup Healthcare System, Boston, MA
• Jefferson Health System, Radnor, PA
• Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Houston, TX
• St. Vincent Health, Indianapolis, IN

Medium Health Systems ($750 million - $1.5 million in TOE)

• Baystate Health, Springfield, MA
• Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA
• HCA Central and West Texas Division, Austin, TX
• Mission Health System, Asheville, NC
• Prime Healthcare Services, Ontario, CA

Small Health Systems (less than $750 million in TOE)

• Baptist Health, Montgomery, AL
• Maury Regional Healthcare System, Columbia, TN
• Poudre Valley Health System, Fort Collins, CO
• Saint Joseph Regional Health System, Mishawaka, IN
• Tanner Health System, Carrolton, GA

Overall, the nation's top hospital systems boast a lower 30-day post-discharge mortality rate; 17% fewer deaths than expected; fewer complications; shorter hospital stays; and better adherence to patient safety mechanisms.

If you live nearby, it might be time to switch hospitals.

[Disclaimer: Thomson Reuters owns FindLaw, the publisher of this blog.]

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