This year's approach reflects a change from Best Hospitals 2011-12, in which all high-performing hospitals in metro areas with populations exceeding 500,000 received a numerical Metro Rank. For more background on this change and on the addition of state rankings to the Best Regional Hospitals methodology, read the Second Opinion column Introducing State Rankings to Best Hospitals.
Overall, U.S. News recognized fewer Best Regional Hospitals this year than last because fewer hospitals met "high-performing" standards in at least one specialty. For background on certain methodology refinements that affected the standards, consult the Second Opinion column Behind the Curtains of the Best Hospitals Rankings.
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