The University of Tennessee Medical Center has earned recognition, for the seventh consecutive year, in the “Best Hospitals” edition of U.S. News & World Report. The 2018-2019 report ranks the medical center as best regional hospital in the Eastern Tennessee region, best in the Knoxville metro area, and No. 3 in the state of Tennessee, based on its patient care performance and other key factors. Two adult care specialties at the medical center, pulmonology and nephrology, received national recognition, deemed by the publication as high performing services.

The publication also recognizes the medical center as high performing in six Common Adult Procedures and Conditions Ratings assessed in the survey:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
• Aortic valve surgery
• Heart failure
• Colon cancer surgery
• Hip replacement
• Knee replacement

“The hard work and dedication of our physicians and team members at the medical center continues to allow our organization to improve on behalf of the patients and community we serve,” said Joe Landsman, president and CEO of The University of Tennessee Medical Center. “We don’t seek out awards or praise, but it certainly is rewarding to be recognized in the U.S. News Best Hospitals edition, because it’s a credible, independent assessment that validates the compassion, care and talent of our outstanding healthcare providers for what they do to help our patients.”

Because of its independent analysis, the annual ranking by U.S. News is considered as an unbiased source for determining safety and quality in the medical field. Now in its 29^thyear, the Best Hospitals report recognizes hospitals that excel in treating patients facing the greatest health challenges. The information is designed to help patients make informed decisions as they seek information about where to receive care for life-threatening conditions or for common elective procedures.

The rankings from the annual report were produced by U.S. News with nationally recognized research firm RTI International. The methodologies include risk-adjusted survival and readmission rates, volumes, patient experience, patient safety, quality of nursing care, and other care-related indicators.

“For nearly thirty years, U.S. News has strived to make hospital quality more transparent to healthcare consumers nationwide,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “By providing the most comprehensive data available, we give patients and their physicians’ information to support their search for the best care across a range of specialties.”

For the 2018-2019 rankings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 25 specialties, procedures, and conditions. The “Best Hospitals 2019” guidebook is scheduled to be published in late September. Visit Best Hospitals for more information about the rankings.