Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital's program to treat kidney disorders has been ranked among the top 20 nationwide in the U.S. News & World Report "America's Best Children's Hospitals" 2009 survey. The hospital's Children's Nephrology Program ranked number 18, marking its first appearance in the survey.
"Our top 20 ranking by U.S. News & World Report is a testament to the high quality of care provided by physicians, nurses and staff in our Children's Nephrology program," said Craig Cordola, CEO of Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.
The program is staffed by pediatric nephrologists affiliated with the University of Texas Medical School - Houston, the teaching partner of Children's Memorial Hermann.
The nephrologists specialize in all aspects of renal disease including kidney failure, blood or protein in the urine, diabetic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, hydronephrosis, hypertension, kidney stones and neurogenic bladder.
The program includes a Children's Dialysis Unit that provides acute or chronic hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis to inpatient and outpatient children from birth to 21 years of age. The unit is equipped to care for children with any medical or surgical problem, and its nephrology nurses are specially trained to work with neonatal and pediatric patients.
The U.S News & World Report hospital rankings are based on factors including the hospital's case volume, research fellowships and reputation for managing complex illnesses. The data used to compare institutions is gathered in a 65-page survey completed by the hospitals. In addition, a group of medical directors, department chairs, infection specialists and other experts are consulted.
Hospitals are ranked on scores made up of three major elements: reputation, medical outcomes, and care-related indicators such as patient volume, nurse staffing and availability of specialized programs.