List of top children's hospitals is guide to quality care

U.S. News & World Report says its ranking of best children's hospitals, out Tuesday, puts an emphasis on institutions with top care in at least one of 10 specialties. A total of 80 hospitals excelled in at least one area, but its honor roll focuses on a dozen that ranked high in at least three specialties.

Although the highest ranked centers, Boston's Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, also topped last year's chart, the criteria were a bit different in the list's fifth year.

Health rankings editor Avery Comarow says reputation still factors into which centers rank best, but it's a shrinking role. He says "for reasons that may or may not be justified," the most esteemed hospitals tended to overshadow less recommended centers that still offered top care.

"It's important to remember that these rankings are not for routine pediatric care," he says. "They're for kids who just need the ultimate in care and I think that most parents are willing to travel at least some distance for that."

Gillian Ray, the Children's Hospital Association public relations director, says the list is informative. However, parents shouldn't assume they can only receive quality care at one of the 12 top-tier hospitals.

"Before you think you have to travel across the country for the top care, make sure you know what's in your own backyard," Ray says. "There are children's hospitals in most major areas and most kids are within two or three hours of a children's hospital."

Ray says parents could ensure their local hospital can care for young patients by asking about staff (for instance, whether there are surgeons trained in pediatric care), and such medical equipment as kid-sized intubation tubes and needles.

Comarow says the list should provide parents with a starting point. If a hospital tells a family they do "a lot of work" in a difficult heart surgery, they should still ask for a full picture.

"You have to say, 'Well, what does that mean? What is a lot of work, who's the best person there and what success rate does she have? What's the death rate and what are the complications?' " Comarow says. "It's important to find the person who can give your child what he or she needs and there's no getting around the fact that that takes work and there's no shortcuts."

The full rankings and methodology can be read at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals.