U.S. News & World Report released its “Best States Rankings” on May 14th, with positive health care news for the state of Delaware. The report ranks Delaware 1st for Hospital Quality, 6th for Health Care Quality and 15th on the list of the best states for health care.

“We are proud that the first state ranks first for hospital quality in the nation,” said Wayne Smith, president and CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Association. “Delaware hospitals and health care systems are dedicated to providing the highest quality care for each and every Delawarean, and it shows.”

Delaware achieved high marks in the following categories:

• Delaware ranks #1 for Hospital Quality , a measure of hospital success in performing and treating nine procedures and conditions: abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, colon cancer surgery, congestive heart failure, heart bypass surgery, hip replacement, knee replacement and Lung cancer surgery.
• Delaware is ranked #6 for Health Care Quality , measured based on preventable hospital admissions, Medicare plan ratings and the quality of nursing homes and hospitals.
• Delaware is ranked #15 on the list of the best states for Health Care (up from #25 in 2018), which is measured based on health care access and affordability, health care quality and health outcomes.

“Quality health care delivery is always first and foremost for Delaware’s hospitals and health care delivery systems," Smith said. "They invest in quality, practice quality and assess for quality. Quality improvement is a never-ending mission and we are incredibly proud of Delaware’s hospitals and the recognition of their efforts to ensure quality patient care, from which every Delawarean benefits.”