For the 4th year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has designated Fletcher Allen as a “Best Regional Hospital” after a thorough review of quality indicators and a national survey of specialists. The U.S. News rankings, now in their 25th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients. Only 14 percent of the 5,000 hospitals analyzed earned Best Regional status.

As part of the Fletcher Allen Health Care ranking, three specialties were selected as “High Performing” – Orthopedics, Gynecology and Urology – meaning the care provided is at or near the same level as that provided at top centers in the U.S. For example in Orthopedics, there have been no infections in primary knee replacements in the past 3 ½ years (1,481 procedures).

“We’re very proud U.S. News continues to recognize that Fletcher Allen provides high quality care as good as can be found almost anywhere in the country,” said John Brumsted, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Fletcher Allen Health Care and a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Vermont. “Our repeated inclusion on the Best Regional Hospitals list also indicates we are achieving our goal to be a high reliability provider for the people of Vermont and northern New York.”

“U.S. News publishes Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age,” said Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor.  “These medical centers should be on your list when you need the best care.”

This recognition comes on top of Fletcher Allen being ranked in the top ten of academic medical centers in the country, and number one in patient safety, in a respected national study.

Multimedia Resources:

• Video: Chief Medical Officer and Professor of Surgery Stephen Leffler, M.D. reacts to the news.

• Blog: Chief Medical Officer Stephen Leffler, MD explains why Fletcher Allen is being recognized as a high quality provider.

Methodology for Best Regional Hospitals

The Best Regional Hospital designation is awarded to hospitals which meet certain criteria and is not a comparison of hospitals in a particular region.  More than one hospital from the same region can achieve “Best Regional” status.

U.S. News and World Report surveyed nearly 10,000 specialists and analyzed nearly 5,000 hospitals to rank the best providers in 16 adult specialties. The rankings are published in collaboration with RTI International in Research Triangle Park, N.C.