In this article I will compare two hospitals that are located in Boston, the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The first hospital is one of the oldest teaching hospitals in the United States and has been known for pioneering advances in medicine and surgery for years. Meanwhile, the second hospital offers a variety of specialized services such as adult transplantation, minimally invasive surgery, women’s health as well as children’s services.
The Massachusetts General Hospital
The Massachusetts General Hospital is one of the oldest teaching hospitals in the United States. It was created on May 3, 1832 and has been known for pioneering advances in medicine and surgery. Its mission statement is to improve the health and quality of life for all people by providing excellence in patient care, education and research. The Massachusetts General Hospital has 731 beds, 66 operating rooms, over 2,000 physicians on staff and 3,600 employees. Approximately 240 residents and fellows are trained each year in over 50 different specialties. It provides services to over 1.5 million patients annually. It has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top five hospitals in America, with 13 adult clinical services rated among the best in the nation. The hospital has a 3-year survival rate of 94% for pancreatic cancer which is higher than the national average (92%). It also has a 99% survival rate for ischemic stroke acute myocardial infarction patients, while the national average is 92%. It also treats over 5,000 children per year at 25 ambulatory clinics located throughout Boston.
The Brigham and Women’s Hospital
The Brigham and Women’s Hospital provides care to over 165,000 patients annually. This hospital has specialized services such as adult transplantation, minimally invasive surgery, women’s health services, family care programs as well as community outreach services. The hospital is ranked number one in four adult specialties by U.S. News & World Report: cardiology and heart surgery; diabetes and endocrinology; gastroenterology; and geriatrics. The hospital also ranks among the nation’s best hospitals for cancer treatment according to the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, with a three-year survival rate of 94%. The hospital provides over 7,000 babies per year with comprehensive care in its labor & delivery unit. The Brigham and Women’s Hospital has a 3-year survival rate of 99% for breast cancer patients which is the highest in Boston and higher than the national average (90%).
The Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s hospital are two of the best hospitals in Boston. The MGH, however, is ranked number one among teaching hospitals by U.S News & World Report with 13 adult clinical services rated as among the best in the nation. The MGH also has a higher 3-year survival rate for certain diseases than the national average which makes it an excellent hospital to go to with your family.