HOUSTON, Jan. 4, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Child magazine today announced the highly anticipated results of its fourth exclusive survey to identify the top 10 children's hospitals in the country. The comprehensive survey -- whose results appear in the February 2007 issue of the magazine -- were based on strict criteria and data compiled during the magazine's extensive nine-month investigation.
Texas Children's Hospital ranks No. 4 among the nation's top pediatric hospitals. The hospital's specialty centers received No. 3 in cancer care, No. 3 in pulmonary services, No. 4 in cardiac care, No. 7 in Neonatology and No. 10 in Orthopedics.
"This honor showcases Texas Children's Hospital's continued commitment to providing the finest pediatric patient care available," said Mark A. Wallace, president and chief executive officer of Texas Children's Hospital. "To be ranked repeatedly among the top five pediatric hospitals by Child magazine demonstrates our contribution towards a healthier community of children."
To be considered for the ranking, hospitals had to meet certain criteria and complete a thorough survey of their facilities.
First, hospitals must be among the 116 qualified, full-voting members of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI). Seventy-six hospitals in total completed this year's survey. The responses were graded to determine the best hospitals overall and the leaders in six pediatric subspecialty areas.
All of the Child magazine semi-finalists receive a detailed, 247-question survey addressing several key factors regarding survival rates for childhood cancers, heart surgeries, organ transplants, and premature births. In addition, the survey rates staff qualifications; nurse-to-patient ratios; research funding, number of clinical trials; and family services such as support groups and sleeping accommodations for parents.
"The dedication of our physicians and staff is unparalleled as evidenced by our consistent ranking in the top five pediatric hospitals," said Dr. Ralph D. Feigin, physician-in-chief of Texas Children's Hospital. "In fact, over the coming years, Texas Children's Hospital has plans to further broaden its scope of research and patient care with strategic investments such as our $1.5 billion Vision 2010 program."
Texas Children's Hospital's landmark Vision 2010 program is the largest pediatric expansion project in the United States ever to be completed in a 4-year window. The program will include four separate initiatives including, the Texas Children's Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital-West Campus, Texas Children's Maternity Center and an expansion of the renowned Feigin Center for Pediatric Research.
With an estimated 2.2 million patient encounters per year, Texas Children's Hospital provides medical care in more than 40 pediatric subspecialties and is the primary pediatric teaching hospital for Baylor College of Medicine. Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor partner in approximately 400 research projects annually and receive more than $80 million in funding -- one of the largest commitments to pediatric research in the country.
The Texas Children's Cancer Center(r) is the largest children's cancer center in Texas and among the premier children's cancer programs in the United States. The center features a nationally acclaimed 22,000 square-foot outpatient clinic, a 15-bed bone marrow transplant unit and 36-in-patient beds. The cancer center sees more than 1,600 new patients each year and accommodates more than 25,000 outpatient visits.
Texas Children's Heart Center(r) is known for genetic discoveries in underlying congenital heart defects and is one of the strongest cardiology, surgical and heart transplantation services in the nation. The Heart Center has a greater than 98 percent success rate in congenital heart surgeries - among the highest survival rates in the country. For more information on Texas Children's Hospital and its specialized centers, visit www.texaschildrenshospital.org.
About Texas Children's Hospital
As one of the nation's largest pediatric hospitals, Texas Children's is renowned for its expertise and breakthrough development in the treatment of cancer, premature infants, cardiogenic disorders, diabetes, asthma and neurological disorders. Since opening its doors in 1954, Texas Children's has cared for more than one million children from every corner of the world and boasts an estimated 2.2 million patient encounters a year. Internationally recognized, the hospital is ranked in the top five among children's hospitals by both Child magazine and U.S. News and World Report.
About Child
For over 20 years, Child has been the leading lifestyle magazine celebrating today's families. Inspiring 5 million smart, stylish and savvy readers monthly, Child delivers everything moms want, and more. From thought provoking editorial and cutting edge news to the latest trends in children's fashion, home and technology. With a circulation of 825,000, Child (www.child.com) is published ten times a year by the Meredith Corporation (www.meredith.com),