1991 best hospitals. A guide to the best

The 45 hospitals identified as the giants in their specialties are profiled below. Beyond size and daily room rates, you'll find special features from kosher menus to schooling for young patients. The ratio of nurses to beds is one measure of how much TLC you can expect. (Because the ratio reflects full-time employment, the number of nurses per bed on any 8-hour shift will be about one third of that indicated.) Phone numbers are provided so you can follow up with your own questions.     

America's best hospitals. Exclusive survey

To identify the nation's best hospitals, U.S. news surveyed in 12 specialties from aids to urology. The survey yielded 57 different hospitals, many of which appear on more than one of the 12 specialty lists. The following hospitals, all of which found their way onto at least four of the lists, represent the cream of America's medical institutions.     

1992 annual guide. A guide to the best

Here are miniprofiles of the 43 hospitals that emerged as the top choices of doctors surveyed in 16 specialties. Phone numbers let you follow up with questions of your own.