Banner Good Samaritan recognized again as a “Best Hospital” in U.S.News & World Report

Commendations in Gynecology, Heart & Heart Surgery, Kidney and Urology

Banner Good Samaritan was recognized for four primary clinical programs – Heart & Heart Surgery (#27), Kidney Disease (#40), Gynecology (#41), and Urology (#45). This represents more U.S.News rankings than the hospital has ever received previously, and more rankings than any other hospital in Phoenix.

Researchers for the U.S. News survey reviewed 5,462 American hospitals in preparation for this much-anticipated issue. Of those medical facilities, only 173 (3 percent) were ultimately included in the 2007 report. Sixteen specialties were considered, and the top 50 hospitals in the country were ranked in each specialty.

According to Avery Comarow at U.S. News, “When facing a condition that is difficult or complex, selecting a hospital with a solid track record could be nothing less than lifesaving. That is why U.S.News has annually ranked America’s medical centers for 18 years: to help patients find the best hospital when the need is great.”

“We are honored that U.S. News has recognized Banner Good Samaritan as one of ‘America’s Best Hospitals’ again,” said Colleen Hallberg, the hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer. “So many of our patients and their physicians in the Southwest region know the reputation this hospital has for excellent patient care. We are especially pleased to be ranked in specialties that are so central to our patients’ needs.”

This marks the first time that Banner Good Samaritan has been recognized by U.S. News for excellence in kidney care, but the hospital has a long history of working with kidney disease. In 1963, Stephen Morris, Administrator of Good Samaritan Hospital, and Dr. Ken Johnson formed the Arizona Kidney Foundation and the hospital opened the state’s first kidney treatment center in 1964 to make dialysis treatments available for chronic renal failure patients. Today, the hospital’s Kidney Center features the largest acute in-hospital dialysis unit in Arizona.

In 1969, surgeons performed Arizona’s first kidney transplant at Banner Good Samaritan and have performed more than 2,500 kidney transplants since. The Transplant Services program is at the forefront of new methods of kidney transplants including living donor kidney transplants, altruistic (anonymous) donation and matched-pair donations, first performed at the hospital in December 2006.

“This is a tremendous recognition for Banner Good Samaritan, and a well-deserved tribute to our physicians, staff and volunteers that make a difference in people’s lives everyday,” said Susan Edwards, President, Arizona Region, for Banner Health.

In ranking hospitals, U.S.News & World Report takes into account a reputation score; mortality data; patient volume; nursing ratios and whether the hospital has achieved Magnet status in nursing; technology and advanced services; patient services that support care and recovery; whether the hospital is a Level I trauma center or NCI-designated cancer center, and certain accreditations pursued by the hospital.

While it is not our direct ranking, we are also proud of City of Hope’s (Duarte, Calif.) ranking on America’s Best Hospitals in “Cancer.” City of Hope is our partner in care for the City of Hope-Banner Bone Marrow Transplant Program located inside of Banner Good Samaritan. Through this program, more then 650 patients with cancer or blood diseases have found new hope through a bone marrow, umbilical cord blood or blood cell transplant.

University Medical Center (Tucson, Ariz.), affiliated with The University of Arizona which announced a new cancer and medical education partnership with Banner Health in late 2006, was also ranked in four specialties: Cancer, Geriatrics, Heart/ Heart Surgery, and Respiratory Disorders.

Located in downtown Phoenix, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center has been providing medical care to Arizona and the Southwest since 1911. Banner Good Samaritan is owned and operated by Phoenix-based Banner Health, a nonprofit organization. The hospital is recognized as a Magnet facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the highest honor a hospital can earn for its nursing care.

For more information about Banner Good Samaritan and Banner Health, please visit www.BannerHealth.com. To review the 2007 Best Hospital survey results go to www.usnews.com/besthospitals.

Contact:
Banner Good Samaritan Public Relations
(602) 239-4411