Methodology
► The World’s Best Hospitals 2022 ranking lists the best hospitals in 27 countries: U.s.,germany, Japan, South Korea, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, Canada, India, Australia, Mexico, The Netherlands, Austria, Thailand, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Israel, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Colombia. The countries were selected based on multiple comparability factors, such as standard of living/life expectancy, population size, number of hospitals and data availability. The lists are based on three data sources:
1 _ Over 80,0000 medical experts (doctors, hospitals managers, health care professionals) in 27 countries were invited to participate in the online survey. Participants were asked to recommend hospitals in their own country as well as in other countries. Recommendations for own employer/ hospital were not allowed.
2 _ Results from patient
experience surveys. Publicly available data from existing patient surveys was used to analyze patient experience. Patient surveys are typically conducted by insurance companies among patients after hospitalization. Examples of survey topics include: general satisfaction with hospital, recommendation of hospital and satisfaction with medical care.
3 _ Medical key performance indicators (KPIS) on hospitals e.g., data on quality of treatment and hygiene measures. KPIS from a variety of public sources were collected for most countries. KPIS differ between the countries. Examples of included data are data on quality of care for specific treatments, data on hygiene measures and patient safety and data on number of patients per doctors and per nurse.
Scores were calculated for each hospital in each of the three categories and weighted: Peer recommendation (50% national, 5% international), patient experience (15%), medical KPIS (30%).
Every hospital in each country is rated by a score. Scores are only comparable between hospitals in the same country, because different sources for patient experience and medical KPIS were examined in each country. Since it was not possible to harmonize this data, cross-country comparisons of the scores are not possible (a score of 90 in country A doesn’t necessarily mean that this hospital is better than a hospital with a score of 87 in country B).
The preliminary rankings were sent to an international network of medical journalists for plausibility checks. A global board of renowned medical experts validated the rankings.
The number of hospitals awarded in each country varies based on the number of hospitals and data availability in the respective country. The U.S. had the most hospitals awarded with 420, while Israel and Singapore were represented with 10 hospitals each. In total, more than 2,200 hospitals were ranked for
this fourth edition of the ranking.
The online edition of this study includes a Global Top 250 list. The list includes a ranking of the 150 best global hospitals, ranks 151–250 are sorted alphabetically. The top 150 were determined by the number of international recommendations received and their national rank. Ranks 151 through 250 consist of the next best hospitals in each country. They are sorted alphabetically because the data is too heterogeneous between countries to allow for further cross-country comparison. The global list does not include specialized hospitals.
The rankings are comprised exclusively of hospitals that are eligible regarding the scope described in this article. A mention in the ranking is a positive recognition based on peer recommendations and publicly available data sources at the time. The ranking is the result of an elaborate process which, due to the interval of data-collection and analysis, is a reflection of the last calendar year. Furthermore, events preceding or following the period 01/01/2021–12/31/2021 and/or pertaining to individual persons affiliated/associated to the facilities were not included in the metrics. As such, the results of this ranking should not be used as the sole source of information for future deliberations. The information provided in this ranking should be considered in conjunction with other available information about hospitals or, if possible, accompanied by a visit to a facility. The quality of hospitals that are not included in the rankings is not disputed. The full rankings and methodology are available online.