The field of oncology is evolving rapidly, and if you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of cancer, you must select a hospital that offers the best quality care coupled with a wide range of services to meet your needs. Most top cancer treatment centers also have a strong emphasis on research, and conduct both basic research as well as clinical trials for cancer patients.
Consider seeking treatment services at a hospital recognized by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. The NCI gives this special designation to cancer hospitals that demonstrate a strong commitment to cancer research, as well as cancer outreach and education.
Look for a hospital with a high ratio of nurses to patients. According to a survey published in the December 12, 2002 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, more than 50% of doctors feel that inadequate nurse staffing is a leading cause of medical errors.
Choose a hospital with a range of services that meets your needs. Some cancer hospitals have specialty units that focus on a specific type of cancer. For example, a breast cancer center may offer digital mammography, or a hospital with a leukemia focus may offer bone marrow and stem cell transplant service.
Pick a hospital with a low mortality index. This number compares actual deaths to expected deaths, based on how ill the patient is when he or she is admitted. A score of 1.0 represents the expected number of deaths for a given medical condition. A score less than 1.0 means the patients fared better than expected, which is a measure of quality care.
In choosing the best cancer hospital, you may be constrained by your health insurance or by location. This discussion offers a sampling of the best cancer hospitals by geographic region, but isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list of all of the cancer hospitals that provide quality care. The U.S. News & World Report recognizes these hospitals according to the criteria discussed above.
Northeast
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York
- Specializes in pediatric cancer care
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
- Medical Imaging Magazine ranks their Radiology Department number one
South
Duke University Medical Center, Durham
- Offers adult and pediatric bone marrow transplant services
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa
- Has a unique focus on treating seniors over age 70
Midwest
Mayo Clinic, Rochester
- Has other locations in Florida and Arizona to serve a diverse population
University of Chicago Medical Center
- Recognized experts in three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy
West
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
- Ranked number one in cancer care by U.S. News and World Report
University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle
- Has a head and neck surgery center
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