Kansas University Hospital has become the first hospital in the region to be ranked in the top 50 on all 12 adult specialty areas on U.S. News & World Report’s annual best hospitals list.

The list is ranked based on health outcomes, patient safety, structure and reputation. KU Hospital was also named best hospital in Kansas City for the fifth year in a row and best hospital in Kansas for the third consecutive year. This year, the rankings put more weight on patient safety and less on reputation.

KU Hospital ranked:

• 12th in neurology and neurosurgery (third straight year, highest ranking yet);

• 12th in pulmonology (fifth straight year, up five slots);

• 16th in geriatrics (fourth year, highest ranking yet);

• 17th in ear, nose and throat (sixth year, up four spots);

• 20th in diabetes and endocrinology (third time, up 18 slots);

• 21st in cardiology and heart surgery (eighth year in a row, highest ranking yet);

• 24th in gastroenterology and GI surgery (fourth consecutive year);

• 29th in cancer care (fourth straight year);

• 33rd in nephrology (sixth year, up two places);

• 33rd in orthopedics; 36th in urology (third time, highest ranking yet);

• and 38th in gynecology.

Approximately 5,700 hospitals across the country are eligible for inclusion in the U.S. News & World Report’s best hospitals list.