In a testament to its exceptional patient care and clinical excellence, Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans (OMC) has once again secured its position as the Best Hospital in Louisiana, an honor it has held for 12 straight years as part of U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of the nation’s best hospitals.

OMC includes Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank and Ochsner Baptist. In addition to its state ranking, the publication also named it the No. 1 hospital in the New Orleans metro area. Its Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialty ranked No. 42 in the nation, while its gastroenterology and GI surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, and pulmonology and lung surgery services all ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation. OMC was also recognized for its elite quality in procedures and conditions in areas including aortic valve surgery, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, kidney failure, hip and knee replacements, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, lung cancer surgery, stroke and more.

“I think this recognition is a validation of all of the different efforts our teams put in to try to create the best patient care outcomes and experiences for the people of Louisiana and the Gulf South,” said Dr. John Carter, system chair, Department of Otolaryngology, Ochsner Health. “I think it’s also a confidence booster for the patients who come to us. They know they are being treated at one of the best places in the country by some of the best doctors in the U.S.”

The honors for OMC in New Orleans were among multiple recognitions for Ochsner Health locations across Louisiana. Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center was named the Best Hospital in Southwestern Louisiana and received eight “high performing” procedure and condition awards for acute kidney failure, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart failure, hip replacement, knee replacement, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma and stroke. Other facilities that earned “high performing” procedure and condition awards were Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center, Ochsner Medical Center locations in Baton Rouge, Kenner and the North Shore; Slidell Memorial Hospital and St. Bernard Parish Hospital.

In addition, in June, U.S. News named Ochsner Hospital for Children as Louisiana’s Top Children’s Hospital. Two pediatric specialties – pediatric cardiology and heart surgery and pediatric orthopedics – were named top national programs.

Dr. Carter said much of that success is due to the fact that some of the nation’s top specialists and surgeons work at Ochsner Health and are always looking for innovative ways to improve treatments and patient outcomes.

“We’re constantly evaluating new tools and techniques in areas such as endoscopy, robotics and pharmacology to see if they would be beneficial to our patients,” he said. “The most important goal is to give each person the highest quality of life possible without putting them through too much turmoil to get there. Our entire staff is always thinking and talking about the best ways to make that happen.”

For example, the top 50 ranked ENT specialty team provides advanced care for common and rare problems, including ear infections, allergies, cancer, dizziness, hearing loss, sinus infections, swallowing disorders and more. Ochsner Health uses the least invasive approach whenever possible, and many problems can be treated with lifestyle changes or medications. Doctors will often start with those methods before progressing to more involved options. But, if more advanced treatment is needed, the team is experienced in multiple areas, including implantable hearing devices, state of the art cancer and reconstructive surgery, endoscopic and robotic surgeries of the head and neck, and the latest facial plastic procedures. This is bolstered by comprehensive speech and auditory rehabilitation and testing services.

Dr. Carter noted that the ENT team is comprehensive in scope, with about 30 surgeons as well as eight subspecialists who have been trained in specific areas such as pediatrics, cancer, skull-based surgery, voice and swallowing disorders, sleep problems and more. Taking a multispecialty approach to care, ENT providers can collaborate with the Ochsner Health allergy and immunology department, the neurology and neurosurgery department and the cancer team.

“Many on our ENT team have taken part in fellowships and additional training and have brought that expertise back here to Louisiana,” Dr. Carter said. “That has allowed us to develop specialty clinics where we can provide comprehensive care for all issues. The patient can stay in one room and see everyone on their care team. They come together on the same day to talk about your care and help to create the best plan going forward. That’s much more convenient for patients, especially if they are traveling to come see us.”

In addition to the medical expertise and communication among its clinicians, Dr. Carter said he also believes Ochsner Health’s holistic approach to care is a main reason for its consistently high national rankings. For example, the new Ochsner Medical Complex – Clearview in Metairie offers comprehensive services, including allergy testing, imaging, outpatient surgery, medical spa services and more.

“That’s our most recent example of how we try to put everything a patient needs in one place and come up with a treatment plan that takes into account their age, conditions, personal goals and more,” Dr. Carter said. “We also have mental health services to help patients deal with the tougher aspects of getting care. When you have doctors addressing concerns in real time and all talking to each other about the next steps, it means the best total care for patients.”

U.S. News developed its Best Hospitals rankings by evaluating more than 4,500 hospitals across 15 specialties and 21 procedures and conditions. Of those evaluated, only 12% of hospitals earned a Best Hospitals ranking for excellence in clinical outcomes, nursing care and patient experience. Visit www.ochsner.org to find a medical professional or Ochsner Health location near you.