UCI Medical Center makes national ranking

For the eighth consecutive year, UCI Medical Center has made U.S. News & World Report’s list for the top 50 hospitals in the country.

In the list, known as “America’s Best Hospital,” the medical center placed 18th for urology, 40th for geriatrics and 30th for the new category of gynecology. The hospital was the first to use robotic surgery to treat prostate cancer.

The annual U.S. News & World Report list rates hospitals on their proficiency to treat the toughest and most trying cases. Many factors are considered when hospitals are ranked. Reputation, ethical standards and quality of patient care all combine to affect the final outcome.

Hospitals with a higher Magnet status or Level I trauma center are awarded additional points. UCI Medical Center meets both criteria.

The U.S. News & World Report will be released Monday.

— Jacquelyn Rumfola