Levine Children's Hospital Receives US News Recognition For Treatment of Kidney Disorders
June 22, 2009
Levine Children's Hospital (LCH) has been ranked 14th in the nation for kidney treatment, based on the U.S. News Media Group's 2009 edition of 'America's Best Children's Hospitals.'
That edition of U.S. News & World Report will be on newsstands in late July. It ranks pediatric hospitals in 10 specialties, including cancer, diabetes and endocrine disorders, digestive disorders, heart and heart surgery, kidney disorders, neonatal care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, respiratory disorders, and urology.
Martha Whitecotton, Administrator of LCH, said the award was heartening because the hospital grew out of a vision by the Carolinas HealthCare System Board of Commissioners, CHS's senior leadership and the community to bring the very best pediatric healthcare to Charlotte. 'This recognition is testimony to the success of that vision,' she said, 'and to the high quality of pediatric medical care available to the children of this region. It is especially significant that we qualified for an honor of this magnitude after less than two years of operations in the new facility.
Dr. Leonard Feld, Chairman of Pediatrics and Chief Medical Officer at LCH, said, 'It is wonderful for our Division of Pediatric Nephrology and our other kidney services to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report. It validates the fact that world class physicians and caring and compassionate nurses and staff are working here at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte.
'The real winners, of course, are patients throughout the Carolinas, who can receive outstanding care close to home. We are very proud of our nephrology, dialysis and transplant teams, and the fact that they are capable of handling a full range of problems, from hypertension, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or acute and chronic kidney diseases to highly specialized procedures such as renal transplants or dialysis.'
The methodology used for this year's U.S. News rankings included a three-part weighted blend of reputation, outcome, and care-related measures such as nursing care, advanced technology, credentialing, and other factors. The hospitals were judged based on a combination of opinions from pediatric specialists regarding the hospitals they would recommend for the sickest children.
U.S. News also gathered data using a 65-page survey that covered important medical information ranging from surgical death rates to whether pediatric anesthesiologists and other sub specialists are on the staff. A detailed description of the methodology can be found at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals.
Avery Comarow, Health Rankings Editor for U.S. News, explained the significance of the rankings as follows: 'A large number of children every year need high-quality hospital care. The objective of our rankings is to help children with uniquely challenging medical needs. It is essential that these special patients seek treatment at pediatric facilities with deep expertise. With this year's rankings, we're providing important information on the best of the best."
Ranking-eligible facilities were largely drawn from the membership roster of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), the preeminent national organization representing freestanding children's hospitals and 'hospitals within a hospital' (large, multidisciplinary pediatric departments within a medical center).
Several non-NACHRI members were added based on known expertise or the recommendation of experts. Of the 160 children's hospitals invited to complete the 65-page survey, 98 responded. The survey was created and administered by RTI International, the same research organization that oversees U.S. News & World Report's 'Best Hospitals' rankings.
