U.S. News Ranks Scripps Hospitals No. 1 in San Diego Region For Second Consecutive Year

U.S. News ranked the best regional hospitals in 45 metropolitan areas with a population of 1 million people or more based largely on the number of national rankings achieved. The combined programs of Scripps Green and Scripps La Jolla were ranked No. 1 in the San Diego metro area and No. 6 in California.

U.S. News also 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, neurology and neurosurgery and urology. Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego was High Performing in nephrology.

In addition to ranking hospitals by treatment of the most challenging cases, U.S. News & World Report also ranks hospitals 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 and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas each were listed as High Performing in heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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, nurse staffing levels, patient experience and preventing complications and prolonged hospitalizations. 

The following top-ranked specialty programs at Scripps La Jolla and Scripps Green earned a spot in the 2018-2019 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals list.

Heart Care

This is the 14th year the Scripps cardiology and heart surgery program has made the U.S. News national ranking. Scripps treats more heart patients than any other health care provider in San Diego, offering 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 sixth consecutive year, Scripps hospitals are recognized for excellence in orthopedic surgery, joint replacement, sports medicine and treatment of complex conditions. Scripps orthopedic surgeons perform more hip replacement and knee replacement surgeries and procedures than any other San Diego area health care system. 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 sixth 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 fifth 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 fifth 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 sixth 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 sixth 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.

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 guidebook, available in bookstores and on newsstands later this year.

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 third consecutive year among the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation by the Truven Health Analytics division of IBM Watson Health.

Learn more about Scripps Health, a nonprofit integrated health system in San Diego, Calif.