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MILWAUKEE, WI (12/29/2008) - Emergency, neonatal, pulmonary, heart and cancer care specialties all rated in the top ten
 Parents magazine today revealed the exclusive findings from its 10 Best Children's Hospitals survey, rating Children's Hospital of Wisconsin No. 3 in the nation. In addition, five specialty programs were rated in the top ten, including emergency care No. 2, neonatal care No. 5, pulmonary care No. 7, cardiac care No. 9 and cancer care No. 10. Parents surveyed more than 100 children's hospitals to determine where the more than 3 million children hospitalized each year can get the best care possible. The results of the extensive survey will appear in the February 2009 issue of Parents magazine on newsstands nationwide January 13, 2009.
"One of the key drivers that sets Children's Hospital apart from its peers is the expertise of its staff," said Children's Hospital and Health System President and CEO Jon Vice. "Our hospital scored higher in this area than any other hospital in the survey, which demonstrates our commitment to our people and to the quality of care we provide. This is something we are most proud of."
The magazine's 10 Best Children's Hospitals survey provides the most extensive data-driven comparison of children's hospitals to date. All surveyed hospitals are members of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions. Hospitals are rated on their responses to detailed questions, including the following areas: survival rates for childhood cancer, pediatric heart disease and other critical conditions; their experience in performing certain complex procedures; the depth of the research program; and safeguards to prevent medical errors.
Other noted highlights in the magazine are achievements in research. Parents paid particular attention to a discovery made by scientists at Children's Research Institute: a genetic fingerprint that signals the potential for type 1 diabetes.
The following specialty areas also were rated in the top 10 in the nation:
Emergency medicine rated No. 2
In Children's Hospital's Emergency Department/Trauma Center, patient satisfaction stands out from other hospitals. The average wait time from arrival to triage was just 13 minutes in 2007. Children's Hospital is a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center capable of providing the highest level of care for the most seriously injured children and teens.
"Our emergency staff always is looking for ways to improve," said Marlene Melzer-Lange, MD, medical director of Emergency Services. "They truly are dedicated to making every child and family's experience the best they can." Melzer-Lange also is a professor of Pediatrics (Emergency Medicine) at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Neonatology rated No. 5
Children's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is classified by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a Level 3C NICU capable of caring for infants with the most complex medical problems and those who need surgery within days or weeks of birth. Of the more than 1,300 infants cared for in 2006 and 2007, more than half were referred from greater than 60 miles away so that these infants could receive the needed level of care. The depth and breadth of specialization of staff is one reason Children's Hospital's NICU stands out.
"I am so proud of the success of our program," said Michael Uhing, MD, medical director of Neonatology. "This rating demonstrates the dedication of our staff and physicians to the care of newborn infants and their families. Through our ongoing research and quality improvement efforts, we hope to continue to provide the highest quality and state-of-the-art care in the region as well as nationally." Dr. Uhing also is an associate professor of Pediatrics (Neonatology) at the Medical College.
Pulmonary care rated No. 7
The Pulmonary Medicine Program includes Wisconsin's only pediatric sleep center accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. It is one of only 20 accredited centers in the country dedicated solely to children. The Pulmonary Medicine Program also places special emphasis on cystic fibrosis care and research. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has accredited the program as a Center of Care, Teaching and Research. In both 2006 and 2007, the program was one of the top-rated centers in the United States for lung function for pediatric patients.
Heart care rated No. 9
Herma Heart Center services are widely accessible to families, with five outreach locations for cardiology outpatient services and one outreach cardiothoracic surgery site throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Because of the strength of its outreach program, Herma Heart Center staff consulted on more than 23,000 cases in 2007.
Cancer care rated No. 10
Children's Hospital's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is one of the largest in the Midwest. Its Blood and Marrow Transplant Program is one of the most experienced, largest and most successful programs of its kind in the nation. Through innovation in transplants from alternative donors, the center is able to offer successful blood and marrow transplants to a greater num-
ber of patients who need them. Some of these alternatives include unrelated marrow donors, unrelated cord blood donors and half-matched parent donors.
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, founded in 1894, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is named by U.S.News & World Report as one of America's Best Children's Hospitals. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons. The hospital has been designated a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a national honor that recognizes nursing excellence. Because more children and families count on Children's Hospital each year, the hospital will open a 12-story, 425,000-square-foot expansion in spring 2009. Children's Hospital is the flagship member of Children's Hospital and Health System. The health system is able to fulfill its mission thanks in part to philanthropic gifts and support from members of the community. Private, independent and not-for-profit, the hospital serves children and families from Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Illinois and beyond.
To learn more visit the Parents magazine Web site at www.parentsmag.com.
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