Texas Children's Hospital ranks #2 nationally in neonatology among nation's best pediatric institutions by U.S. News World Report

HOUSTON - (June 16, 2014) - Texas Children's Hospital is excited to announce it has been recognized as a national leader in neonatology in U.S. News World Report's 2014-15 edition of Best Children's Hospitals. The hospital's neonatology program ranked #2 among all children's hospitals in the U.S. To learn more about Texas Children's Newborn Center visit texaschildrens.org/newborn.

These rankings are a result of a methodology that weighs a combination of outcome and care-related measures such as nursing care, advanced technology, credentialing, and reputation, among other factors. This year's methodology reflects a number of improvements, the most important of which relate to outcomes, best practices and infection prevention. The improvements better differentiate hospitals on the basis of their performance in these domains, which factored into the decision to increase the weight assigned two of them. To allow for this change, U.S. News reduced the weight assigned to hospital reputation.

"We are honored to be recognized as a national leader in treating the most critically ill babies and this designation is a testament to the outstanding interdisciplinary teamwork involved in their care," said Dr. Stephen Welty, chief of neonatology at Texas Children's Hospital and head of the section of neonatology in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. "Our mission is to care for the sickest children in the region, so even with this amazing ranking, our work is not over. We will continue to improve and advance treatments and lead the nation in developing cutting-edge, multidisciplinary care."

Babies who are born prematurely or who are critically ill have the highest demands for specialized resources. This is why Texas Children's focuses on collaboration, cooperation and cohesiveness to treat each baby with teams of specialists that can deliver the highest level of care available. Focusing on a team approach and doing what is in the best interest of each baby allows every family to have the best possible outcome.

One of only two level-IV neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the greater Houston area, Texas Children's Newborn Center and Texas Children's Pavilion for Women together house 173 NICU beds, making the hospital the largest NICU in the nation. Texas Children's Newborn Center cares for nearly 2,500 babies each year and offers the most complete and complex level of care available, with 24/7 access to neonatologists and pediatric subspecialists. This allows the hospital to care for the most complex cases including children with severe congenital heart defects, those in need of intestinal rehabilitation, as well as babies facing the enormous burden of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Working closely with Texas Children's Fetal Center, the hospital's Newborn Center places a high priority on offering an integrated perinatal care model. Welty also notes that advances in fetal medicine allow the hospital to offer therapies not previously available to patients with conditions such as congenital diaphragmatic hernias, spina bifida and previously fatal heart diseases.

In addition to its ranking as #2 in the nation for neonatology, Texas Children's has also held Magnet status, a national designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, since 2003.

"A critical component of positive outcomes for our tiniest and most critically ill babies is the excellent neonatal nursing staff who are highly trained to deliver exceptional care. Working with a multidisciplinary team on quality improvement efforts, we are focused on creating a safe and more efficient nursery environment for our patients and their families so they can thrive and have the most optimal outcomes," said Lori Armstrong, chief nursing officer at Texas Children's Hospital.

In addition to the hospital's #2 ranking in neonatology, Texas Children's is ranked fourth among all children's hospitals nationally and is one of only 10 hospitals to achieve the Honor Roll designation by U.S. News World Report. Texas Children's is also the only hospital in Texas - and the entire Southern region of the U.S. - awarded this distinction. The 2014-15 edition of Best Children's Hospitals is available online at www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals .

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About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.