U.S. News Geriatrics ranking methodology
U.S. News ranks hospitals for Geriatrics by blending risk-adjusted patient outcomes, hospital structure and resources, and a physician expert-opinion component. It uses the default ~15% expert-opinion weight — it is not among the four specialties reduced to 12% — so measured outcomes and structure carry most of the score.
What this ranking covers
The Geriatrics specialty recognizes hospitals that excel at the care of older adults who often have multiple, complex chronic conditions.
How it’s scored
Per U.S. News’s 2025–26 methodology, the score draws on:
- Patient outcomes — risk-adjusted results such as survival and being discharged home; the largest share.
- Structure & resources directly related to geriatrics care.
- Expert opinion (reputation) — weighted about 15% in 2025–26 — the default for data-driven specialties.
Related procedures & conditions
Geriatric care intersects with many High Performing conditions common in older patients, such as Heart Failure, Pneumonia, Diabetes, and Kidney Failure. A hospital can earn these threshold-based shields without being nationally ranked in the Geriatrics specialty, and vice versa.
Frequently asked questions
How does U.S. News rank hospitals for geriatrics?
The Geriatrics ranking blends risk-adjusted patient outcomes, hospital structure and resources, and a physician expert-opinion component. It is a data-driven specialty that uses about 15% in 2025–26 — the default for data-driven specialties expert-opinion weight, with outcomes carrying the largest share.
How much does reputation count in this ranking?
About 15% in 2025–26 — the default for data-driven specialties. Geriatrics is not among the four specialties reduced to 12%, so the survey carries the standard share while outcomes and structure dominate.
What does the geriatrics ranking cover?
It evaluates the care of older adults who often have multiple, complex chronic conditions.
Track your geriatrics standing — every measure, every year
Shield Tracker helps geriatrics programs manage their U.S. News data submission and follow scores, component-level gaps, year-over-year trends, and peer benchmarking — so you know exactly where your ranking stands and where to focus.
Schedule a demoSources
- U.S. News & World Report, “Best Hospitals” specialty rankings. health.usnews.com
- U.S. News & World Report, “FAQ: How and Why We Rank and Rate Hospitals.” health.usnews.com
Independence & trademarks. Shield Tracker is an independent software product. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by U.S. News & World Report. “U.S. News & World Report” and “Best Hospitals” are trademarks of U.S. News & World Report L.P., used here descriptively for education and commentary. Methodology facts reflect U.S. News’s published 2025–26 Best Hospitals methodology and are subject to change each year.