U.S. News Ranks Scripps Hospitals No. 1 in San Diego Region

Programs at Scripps Green, Scripps La Jolla rank nationally in eight specialties
 
SAN DIEGO – The combined medical programs of Scripps Green Hospital and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla rank No. 1 in the San Diego region for the third year in a row and are among the best in the nation in eight specialties, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Hospitals list, which was released today.

“Ranking No. 1 in San Diego and among the best in the nation, repeatedly, is a great honor and a testament to the highest-quality patient care and expertise provided by our hardworking physicians, nurses and staff,” said Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of Scripps Health. “While such recognition is celebrated by everyone here at Scripps, our patients are the real winners because they can take comfort in and benefit from access to outstanding health care right here in San Diego County.”
 
The annual U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 30th year, recognize the nation’s top 50 hospitals that excel in treating patients with the most challenging health care needs. For 2019-2020, U.S. News evaluated hospitals in 16 adult specialties and ranked the nation’s top 50 hospitals in 12 of those specialties based largely on hard data.
 
The 4,653 hospitals that were analyzed by U.S. News & World Report represent virtually all U.S. community inpatient facilities. Only 165 (3 percent) of the hospitals analyzed were nationally ranked in at least one specialty.
 
The combined programs of Scripps La Jolla and Scripps Green hospitals (called “Scripps La Jolla Hospitals” on the list) were nationally ranked in eight specialties: Orthopedics (No. 11), Pulmonology (No. 12), Gynecology (No. 22), Gastroenterology and GI Surgery (No. 25), Cardiology and Heart Surgery (No. 29), Diabetes and Endocrinology (No. 31), Geriatrics (No. 36), and Neurology and Neurosurgery (No. 48).
 
Other high-performing areas
U.S. News recognizes high-performing hospitals in specialty areas that were not ranked in the top 50 but scored among the top 10 percent of hospitals that received scores. The combined programs of Scripps Green and Scripps La Jolla were designated as High Performing in nephrology and urology.
 
State ranking and metro rankings
U.S. News & World Report also ranks the Best Regional Hospitals by state and major metropolitan region. This year there were ranked hospitals in 89 metro areas. The combined programs of Scripps Green and Scripps La Jolla were ranked No. 1 in the San Diego metro area and No. 7 in California.
 
In addition to evaluating hospitals by treatment of the most challenging cases, hospitals are ranked regionally by performance treating nine relatively common adult procedures and conditions. The combined programs of Scripps La Jolla and Scripps Green achieved the highest score possible and were designated High Performing in all nine categories: abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, colon cancer surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hip replacement, knee replacement and lung cancer surgery.
 
Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego was listed as High Performing in treating heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and aortic valve surgery.
 
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas was listed as High Performing in treating heart failure, colon cancer surgery and knee replacement surgery.
 
For each of the common procedures, the hospitals were recognized for excellence in several areas including discharging patients to their homes instead of another hospital or nursing facility, survival rates, preventing readmissions, patient experience and preventing complications and prolonged hospitalizations.
 
Nationally ranked programs
The following top-ranked specialty programs at Scripps La Jolla and Scripps Green earned a spot in the 2019-2020 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals list.
 

• Heart care

This is the 15th year the Scripps cardiology and heart surgery program has made the U.S. News national ranking. Scripps offers exceptional quality care that often exceeds state averages in delivering evidence-based interventions. The Prebys Cardiovascular Institute at Scripps is the largest, most advanced center on the West Coast for cardiovascular medicine, research and training. Through a longtime partnership with Kaiser Permanente, Scripps also is the exclusive provider of cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology surgery to Kaiser Permanente members in the San Diego region.

• Orthopedics

Nationally ranked for the seventh consecutive year, Scripps hospitals are recognized for excellence in orthopedic surgery, joint replacement, sports medicine and treatment of complex conditions. Treatment options include the latest FDA-approved technologies, devices and procedures at multiple locations throughout San Diego County. The Donald P. and Darlene Shiley Musculoskeletal Center on the campus of Scripps Green Hospital is home to advanced diagnostics, treatment, surgery and rehabilitation services, as well as orthopedic research and education.

• Gynecology

Nationally ranked for the seventh consecutive year, Scripps gynecology programs are recognized for excellent results with high-risk patients, and patient survival rates. Scripps OB-GYN doctors provide excellent specialized services such as fertility clinics and genetic testing and counseling. The Scripps OB-GYN program includes 40 surgeons who perform a high rate of minimally invasive surgery, reducing patient complications and length of stay in the hospital. Gynecology patients consistently give Scripps high satisfaction scores for expertise, courtesy and friendliness.

• Diabetes

Nationally ranked for the sixth consecutive year, Scripps diabetes programs include prevention, early intervention, education, treatment and technology to personalize diabetes care. Scripps is one of San Diego’s largest providers of the Diabetes Prevention Program, an intensive lifestyle intervention program directed at people with prediabetes. The Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute is a leader in diabetes studies and research. Scripps’ internationally recognized Project Dulce is a diabetes care and education program that addresses the needs of culturally diverse populations. These models have been the basis for programs throughout the world.

• Pulmonology

Nationally ranked for the sixth consecutive year, Scripps’ pulmonary medicine services include diagnosis and treatment options for routine and complex respiratory problems, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.

• Gastroenterology and GI Surgery

Nationally ranked for the seventh consecutive year, Scripps is recognized for treating the most challenging digestive and liver problems as well as offering access to emerging therapies through clinical research. In 1990, Scripps established San Diego’s first liver transplant program and founded the Scripps Clinic Liver Disease Center, which is internationally recognized for research and treatment of people with chronic liver disease.

• Geriatrics

Nationally ranked for the seventh consecutive year, Scripps has more than 90 physicians whose specialties or areas of expertise include geriatric medicine. These physicians are skilled at providing care to older patients for a wide range of conditions associated with aging.

• Neurology and Neurosurgery

Scripps neurology and neurosurgery programs are recognized for excellence in treating a range of neurological conditions. From stroke care, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease to traumatic brain injuries, Scripps’ neurological specialists use the most advanced technology and treatment methods. All five Scripps Health hospital campuses have earned the Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for delivering high-quality, life-saving stroke care. Scripps neurosurgeons are recognized experts in brain surgery and combine advanced techniques with state-of-the-art technology, including minimally invasive brain surgery treatments.
 
Methodology
The U.S. News Best Hospitals analysis covers clinical specialties, procedures and medical conditions. Scores are largely based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted survival rates, readmission rates, volume, patient experience, patient safety and quality of nursing. Data sources include the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the American Hospital Association and professional medical organizations. Results of an annual reputational survey of specialized physicians are also factored in. All rankings have been published at http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals and will appear in print in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals 2020” guidebook, available in bookstores and on newsstands later this year.
 
Other national accolades
The U.S. News rankings are the latest in a series of recent accolades earned by Scripps hospitals. Earlier this year, Scripps La Jolla was named for the fourth consecutive year among the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation by IBM Watson Health. 

ABOUT SCRIPPS HEALTH 
Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a nonprofit integrated health care delivery system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats more than 750,000 patients annually through the dedication of 3,000 affiliated physicians and more than 15,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, 28 outpatient centers and clinics, and hundreds of affiliated physician offices throughout the region.
 
Recognized as a leader in disease and injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research. With three highly respected graduate medical education programs, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Scripps has been ranked five times as one of the nation’s best health care systems by Truven Health Analytics. Its hospitals are ranked No. 1 in San Diego County and among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Scripps also is recognized by Advisory Board, Fortune and Working Mother magazine as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.