The hospital ranks 35 in digestive disorders care and 41 in the hormonal category.The annual report, which appears in the July 18 edition of the news magazine, ranks the top 50 hospitals in each of 17 specialties. <o:p></o:p>
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The rankings include 176, or fewer than 1 in 34, different medical centers, selected from 6,007 medical centers across the country. This is the 11th consecutive year <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>OHSU</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Hospital</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> has been ranked in the report.<o:p></o:p>
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To determine the top 50 in each specialty category, U.S. News assigns points for a number of factors, including mortality rates, R.N. to patient ratio, number of specialty-specific technologies, patient community services offered and reputation.<o:p></o:p>
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The <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>OHSU</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName>Digestive</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName>Health</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> is known for it's high-quality, integrated multidisciplinary care, and its research. The center includes experts in GI medicine, hepatology and GI surgery. Because it's part of <st1:State><st1:place>Oregon</st1:place></st1:State>'s only academic health center, the newest treatments are more quickly available to patients, and often are based on research conducted at the university. <o:p></o:p>
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A sampling of notable achievements by OHSU researchers include the development of a new technique that makes feasible and safe a minimally noninvasive surgical procedure to remove diseased tissue of the esophagus laparoscopically; and the development of colorectal cancer screening standards that are changing the practice of colon cancer care throughout the world. OHSU surgeons perform the majority of esophagectomy cases in <st1:State><st1:place>Oregon</st1:place></st1:State>, with results that match the best in the country.<o:p></o:p>
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In addition, OHSU performs a high volume of bariatric surgery. The multidisciplinary team of clinicians has decades of experience in the medical and surgical treatment of obesity, and in research, creating an optimal situation for OHSU's patients. Currently two of the top obesity drugs being investigated by the pharmaceutical industry have come from basic science performed at OHSU. <o:p></o:p>
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The <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>OHSU</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName>Diabetes</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>'s multidisciplinary approach recognizes the full spectrum of expertise needed to care for people with hormonal disorders, such as diabetes. An expanding team of experts focus on education and disease management, and are recognized nationally for their emphasis on improved glucose control in the hospital to improve patient outcomes. An active insulin pump program, strong patient education base, new therapeutic treatments and glucose monitoring breakthroughs contribute to the center's success. Links to other services at OHSU further support care to diabetic patients, who often need access to experts in blood vessel and nerve disorders, kidney disease, vision care, and cardiovascular health.<o:p></o:p>
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The <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Diabetes</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> is active in the leadership of large international trials to improve diabetes outcomes for adults and children with diabetes. Recognizing that gains in knowledge can only come about through careful investigation, the <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>OHSU</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName>Diabetes</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> considers research to be an inseparable part of patient care. <o:p></o:p>
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For example, research projects on diabetes conducted at the university have revolutionized the care now available for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes; and OHSU researchers are participating in an ongoing national study looking at the relative benefits of glucose, blood pressure and lipid control in those with Type 2 diabetes. <o:p></o:p>
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Patients with endocrine disorders come from all over the region to OHSU's many endocrinology-related clinics. Large patient numbers enable scientists to carry out the kind of research that leads to more precise, and more reliable diagnostic and treatment protocols, creating benefits for both patients and the scientific community alike.<o:p></o:p>
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The thyroid clinic sees most of the thyroid cancer patients in the Northwest and provides expertise in many other thyroid diseases and disorders. The <st1:place><st1:PlaceName>Pituitary</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName>Tumor</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> provides a multidisciplinary approach that includes neuroendocrinologists, a dedicated pituitary surgeon, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists and neuro-ophthalmologists. Few centers provide this assemblage of experts. <o:p></o:p>
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The endocrinology division also has an internationally recognized center for bone and mineral research and patient care; is an expert in the management of hormonal replacement for women, and the role of estrogen in the aging brain; and provides instruction to local and national endocrinologists. The overall strength of the division is its broad expertise in virtually any hormonal issue effecting adult health.<o:p></o:p>
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<st1:place><st1:PlaceName>OHSU</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Hospital</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, Doernbecher Children's Hospital and OHSU's numerous primary care and specialty practices provide a full spectrum of pediatric and adult care - from routine services to highly-sophisticated specialty treatments and procedures - to more than 175,000 patients each year. The benchmarks of individual programs are shared throughout the university, as collaboration and teamwork are key to OHSU's success.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>http://www.medfordnews.com/articles/index.cfm?artOID=305442&cp=10996</o:p>
