Eastside Hospital Among Best In America: Healthgrades

KIRKLAND, WA — For the third year in a row, Kirkland's EvergreenHealth is being recognized as one of the best hospitals in the nation. Only two Washington hospitals were ranked among America's 250 best in new rankings from Healthgrades, a marketplace to help people find doctors and hospitals, and both landed in the top 50: EvergreenHealth in Kirkland and Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver.

The distinction places both hospitals in the top 1 percent for medical care.

Healthgrades evaluated patient mortality and complications rates for 31 of the most common health care conditions and procedures at 4,500 U.S. hospitals for its 2023 America’s Best Hospitals ranking. This year’s awards recognize overall clinical excellence and the top-ranked hospitals for 18 specialty care among 32 eligible states.

The “America’s best” rankings recognize:

• America’s 50 Best Hospitals (top 1 percent)
• America’s 100 Best Hospitals (top 2 percent)
• America’s 250 Best Hospitals (top 5 percent)

EvergreenHealth has made Healthgrades' top 250 list for 10 consecutive years, placing in the top 100 for seven and the top 50 for three years running. This year, the hospital system also garnered recognition in several categories of specialty care, ranking first in the state for stroke care, pulmonary care, GI surgery, GI medical care and overall GI services. EvergreenHealth is also the top-ranked hospital for critical care in the Seattle area.

"As a community-owned hospital, we hold ourselves accountable to providing the highest levels of quality clinical care and service to our patients and families, and we’re so proud that our commitment to excellence places us among the top-performing hospitals in the country," said Dr. Jeff Tomlin, CEO of EvergreenHealth. "Recognitions like these serve to validate the dedication of our physicians, staff and volunteers who strive to continually enhance every aspect of the clinical experience for our community. But what we’re most proud of is knowing that behind this recognition are families and individuals who are living and leading healthier, happier lives because of their care."

Here are a few Washington hospitals that received high marks for specialty care:

Critical Care

1. Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center (Vancouver)
2. EvergreenHealth Medical Center - Kirkland (Kirkland)
3. St. Joseph Medical Center (Tacoma)
4. Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center (Spokane)
5. St. Clare Hospital (Lakewood)

General Surgery

1. EvergreenHealth Medical Center - Kirkland (Kirkland)
2. Virginia Mason Medical Center (Seattle)
3. St. Clare Hospital (Lakewood)

Healthgrades said in a news release that the awards help consumers choose a doctor or hospital based on the criteria that matters most to them, including compatibility, relevant experience and quality of care, at a time of heightened awareness of the importance of taking care of themselves.

A recent Healthgrades survey found 64 percent of consumers are more concerned about their health now than before the pandemic. More than half (57 percent) are more concerned today than before the pandemic about the quality of care provided by hospitals and their doctors.

Healthgrades said that if all hospitals performed at the level of the top 250 hospitals, 160,615 lives would have been saved.