Awards and ratings

Each year, Abbott Northwestern is recognized for its exceptional expertise and care. The hospital’s services, doctors and nurses are acclaimed nationally and locally by such organizations as U.S. News & World Report, the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Society of Chest Pain Centers. For example:

• The U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Hospitals” issue cited Abbott Northwestern as one of the country’s best six years in a row. In 2010, the following programs were ranked among the best in the U.S.: heart and heart surgery; neurology and neurosurgery; and orthopedics. Learn more.
• The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) granted Magnet Recognition Program™ status to Abbott Northwestern in 2009. This achievement is reached by fewer than 5 percent of all U.S. hospitals. The ANCC states that Magnet hospitals consistently deliver better patient outcomes than non-Magnet hospitals, including more time spent at the patient’s bedside by nurses, shorter lengths of patient stay, lower patient mortality rates, higher patient satisfaction rates, and higher nurse retention, recruitment, and job satisfaction rates. Learn more.
• The American Association of Critical Care Nurses recognized Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Intensive Care Unit for medical, surgical and neurology patients with a Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence.
• The Minnesota Hospital Association has recognized Abbott Northwestern with Patient Safety Excellence Awards. Learn more.
• Abbott Northwestern's Piper Breast Center is the first in Minnesota to be accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.
• The Minnesota Women’s Press honored two of Abbott Northwestern’s Centers of Excellence in their “What Women Want! 2009” issue. The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing was chosen as a favorite clinic among female readers for alternative medicine. The Virginia Piper Cancer Institute's Piper Breast Center was voted as a women-friendly hospital or clinic, and favorite place to get a mammogram and breast cancer information or treatment.

• The Society of Chest Pain Centers recognized Abbott Northwestern in 2008 by making it the first Minnesota hospital to be designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center. The accreditation acknowledges the collaboration and commitment of the Minneapolis Heart Institute®, Abbott Northwestern's Emergency Department, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and other medical personnel dedicated to rigorous processes proven to reduce mortality and morbidity from heart disease. Learn more.
• BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota named the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Abbott Northwestern a Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers in 2008. This program identifies facilities that offer comprehensive care for adults with uncommon types of cancer. Learn more.
• NeuStrategy designated Abbott Northwestern's Neuroscience Institute a national Stroke Center of Excellence in 2008. Learn more.
• Nursing Professionals magazine ranked Abbott Northwestern among the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals to Work for nurses in 2009. The magazine surveyed 25,000 randomly selected hospital nurses across the U.S., measuring job satisfaction and key indicators of a hospital’s support of nurses. Learn more.
• CARF International provided accreditation in 2008 to The Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute at Abbott Northwestern for its: stroke specialty programs; spinal cord system of care for children adolescents and adults; and inpatient rehabilitation services for children, adolescents and adults. CARF is an independent nonprofit accrediting body that works to promote quality, value and optimal outcomes of services. Learn more.