Banner Good Samaritan recognized for 10th year as a “Best Hospital” in U.S. News & World Report

Commendations in Gynecology, Heart Care & Surgery and Kidney Disease

Banner Good Samaritan was recognized for three primary clinical programs: Gynecology (#39), Heart Care and Surgery (#40) and Kidney Disease (#46). This marks the fourth consecutive year that Banner Good Samaritan has been recognized in these three services areas.

Independent researchers for the U.S. News survey reviewed 4,861 American hospitals in preparation for this much-anticipated issue. Of those medical facilities, only 174 hospitals (just over 3 percent) were ultimately included in the 2009 report. Sixteen specialties were considered, and the top 50 hospitals in the country were ranked in each specialty.

"When the stakes are high, you want the best care you can get for someone close to you," said Avery Comarow, health rankings editor. "These are hospitals that are used to getting the sickest patients."

“We are honored that U.S. News has recognized Banner Good Samaritan as one of ‘America’s Best Hospitals’ for a decade,” said Larry Volkmar, CEO, Banner Good Samaritan. “Locally, our physicians and their patients know the reputation our hospital has developed for excellent patient care. National research like this shows us that the work we do every day is recognized by a much larger community. We are clearly honored to be included in such a prestigious list of peer hospitals.”

• When it comes to Obstetrics and Gynecology, Banner Good Samaritan has been the focus of much national media attention for high-risk pregnancies and a new Banner Maternal-Fetal Center that offers highly-specialized ultrasound services and intra-uterine fetal therapy and surgery.
• In the area of Heart Care and Surgery, Banner Good Samaritan is proud to offer the largest heart catheterization lab in Arizona, minimally-invasive cardiac robotic surgery, programs that focus on common cardiac abnormalities like atrial fibrillation and clinical research in search of better and less invasive means of cardiac repair.
• Kidney disease is also an important aspect of care offered at the medical center. Banner Good Samaritan was the first in Arizona to offer kidney transplantation and continues to be the largest provider of this service. The hospital has also taken a lead role in paired exchange and chain transplants that stand to increase the number of available organs for those in need.

To rank hospitals in 12 specialties, the researchers looked at available hard data. There are four primary components: reputation, death rate, patient safety (new this year), and care-related factors such as nursing and patient services.

For more details on methodology of this research, or other rankings, go to www.usnews.com/besthospitals.

About Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
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 not-for-profit organization, and is a flagship hospital within the system. 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 and practices, and has been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Valley by The Phoenix Business Journal and BestCompaniesAZ in 2007 and 2008 and one of the “Top 100 Hospitals to Work For” by Nursing Professionals magazine. For more information about Banner Good Samaritan, please visit www.BannerHealth.com/GoodSam.

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