University of Colorado Hospital ranks among the nation's best in 2009

The University of Colorado Hospital is among the best nationally in six of 16 medical specialties, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2009-10 publication, America's Best Hospitals.

UCH is recognized in more categories than any other hospital in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. It ranked as one of the best in diabetes and endocrine disorders, gynecology, kidney disorders, respiratory disorders, rehabilitation and rheumatology.

Other ranked specialties include cancer, digestive disorders, ear, nose and throat, geriatric care, heart and heart surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, psychiatry and urology.

"This is another indicator of the clinical excellence our hospital brings to patients here," said Bruce Schroffel, the hospital's president and CEO.

The rankings in 12 of the 16 specialties-all but ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and rheumatology-are predominantly driven by hard data covering four components: reputation, death rate, patient safety, and care-related factors such as nursing and patient services.