Staff Report
Published July 17, 2012

The Medical University of South Carolina has been named the top hospital in the state by U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings.

The top five hospitals in South Carolina include, in order: MUSC, Greenville Memorial Hospital, Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, Bon Secours-St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, and McLeod Health in Florence tied with Roper Hospital in Charleston.

“We are pleased to again be ranked as the leader in specialty care in South Carolina, and as one of the premier treatment centers in the country,” MUSC President Ray Greenberg said in a statement. “This is a great tribute to the outstanding physicians and other caregivers who serve the health needs of so many patients.”

MUSC also ranked nationally in four adult and two pediatric specialties, according to U.S. News. MUSC Children’s Hospital was considered in the assessment, U.S. News said. MUSC was 47th in cardiology and heart surgery, 30th in ear, nose and throat, 49th in gastroenterology and 44th in nephrology. In pediatrics, the hospital ranked 15th in cardiology and heart surgery, and 49th in gastroenterology.

Greenville Memorial Hospital was the only other South Carolina hospital with a nationally ranked specialty, which was 41st in diabetes and endocrinology.

“U.S. News surveyed nearly 10,000 specialists and sifted through data for approximately 5,000 hospitals to rank the best in 16 adult specialties, from cancer to urology,” the magazine said.

The editors considered death rates, patient safety and hospital reputation, among other factors.