Scripps Mercy Ranked One of America’s Best Hospitals

SAN DIEGO – Scripps Mercy Hospital has been ranked 38th in the country for the treatment of respiratory disorders by U.S. News & World Report in its 2009 -10 America’s Best Hospitals issue. The rankings for the respiratory disorders specialty are based on eight patient treatments, including genetic testing and counseling, hospice care, pain management and palliative care, as well as six key technologies ranging from image-guided radiation therapy to multi-slice spiral CT scans.

“Our ranking as one of America’s Best Hospitals helps validate our commitment to providing patients quality, respect and efficient care,” said Tom Gammiere, FACHE, chief executive of Scripps Mercy Hospital. “We are proud of the high level of expertise and patient care we have given our patients for almost 120 years.”

Only 174 of the 4,861 hospitals analyzed scored high enough to be ranked in one of 16 specialties. To be a candidate for inclusion, a hospital must meet any one of three criteria: be a teaching hospital, have at least 200 beds, or have at least 100 beds and at least four out of eight important medical technologies, such as current-generation CT scanners and precision radiation therapies. This year, 44 percent of all hospitals met the criteria.

Scripps Mercy Hospital has previously appeared in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings for senior care and for rheumatology. In a report released last week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Scripps Mercy was ranked among the top five percent of all hospitals in the country for pneumonia and heart failure.

Established in 1890 by the Sisters of Mercy, Scripps Mercy Hospital serves the San Diego and Chula Vista communities. With 700 licensed beds, more than 3,000 employees and 1,300 physicians, Scripps Mercy Hospital is San Diego’s longest established and only Catholic hospital. With two campuses, Scripps Mercy Hospital is the largest hospital in San Diego County and one of the 10 largest in California. For more information, visit www.scripps.org.

Contact: Kristin Reinhardt
Phone: 619-686-3787
Cell: 619-565-7038
Email: reinhardt.kristin@scrippshealth.org