Both UCLA Health and Northwestern Memorial Hospital are top-tier medical centers with distinct strengths. UCLA Health excels in national rankings and patient satisfaction in Los Angeles, while Northwestern Memorial stands out for patient recommendation rates and Medicare ratings. Patients should consider their specific needs and priorities when choosing between these hospitals.
| Attribute | UCLA Health | Northwestern Memorial Hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Ranking (National/Regional) | #1 in Los Angeles and California, #3 nationally, consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the U.S. for over 30 years. | #1 in both metropolitan Chicago and Illinois, Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 12 consecutive years (top 22 hospitals nationwide), #9 in the nation (U.S. News & World Report, 2022) |
| Specialty Care Excellence | Top 10 rankings in ear, nose and throat, pulmonology and lung surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology/gastrointestinal surgery, urology, geriatrics, ophthalmology, psychiatry, rheumatology, cancer, neurology and neurosurgery, and orthopedics. High performing in all 20 procedures and conditions rated. International Cardio-Oncology Society Gold Center of Excellence. | Nationally ranked in 11 specialties: Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Surgery (7th); Diabetes and Endocrinology (5th/8th); Ear, Nose and Throat (16th/32nd); Gastroenterology and GI Surgery (9th/10th); Geriatrics (9th/11th); Neurology and Neurosurgery (10th/11th); Obstetrics and Gynecology (9th/17th); Orthopaedics (11th/19th); Pulmonology and Lung Surgery (12th/18th); Urology (11th/12th); Cancer (18th/20th) |
| Patient Satisfaction Scores | Among the top 15% of hospitals in the nation for patient experience. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center was the top hospital for patient satisfaction in Los Angeles. | 4 out of 5 stars patient experience, 81% of patients would recommend (15% higher than state average), Medicare: five-star overall rating, four-star patient survey rating |
| Average Wait Times for Appointments | Offers online appointment scheduling and appointment reminders via text. | Not available |
| Emergency Room Services and Wait Times | Multiple emergency departments including Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, and UCLA West Valley Medical Center. Emergency room wait times for non-life-threatening conditions can be approximately 2-6 hours. | Average wait time: 329 minutes (longer than national average of 196 minutes and state average of 236 minutes) |
| Availability of Advanced Medical Technology | Utilizes advanced medical technologies like robotic surgery with the da Vinci surgical system. Performs more robotic surgeries than most other medical centers in the nation. Cardiac Arrhythmia Center partners with GE to pursue research in minimally invasive robotic surgery. | Robotic surgery, stem cell therapy, da Vinci Surgical System (cancer, urologic, cardiovascular, thoracic, gynecologic, and general surgeries), da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system |
| Insurance Coverage Acceptance | Accepts a wide range of health insurance plans, including HMOs, PPOs, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medi-Cal. Also accepts various behavioral health insurance plans. | Accepts medical insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid (with consent) |
| In-Network Doctors and Specialists | Large medical group with numerous primary care, OB/Gyn, specialty doctors, and mental health practitioners. | Over 1,900 physicians on the medical staff representing nearly every medical specialty |
| Hospital Amenities | Specific amenities can vary by location. | Private patient rooms with restrooms and showers, window seats that convert to visitor beds, libraries, information centers, lounges, relaxation areas, dining options, gift shops |
| Parking and Transportation Options | Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center offers both valet and self-service parking. Provides alternative transportation options and resources, promoting walking, biking, and ridesharing. Public transportation options include Metro, Culver City Bus, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and more. | Discounted parking rates, Huron/Saint Clair parking garage (222 East Huron Street), Lavin Pavilion (259 East Erie Street), 321 East Ontario Street, taxis, public transit, train transportation, bus routes #3, #29, #33, #56, #65, #66, #120, #121, #125, #144, #145, and #146 |
| Visiting Hours and Policies | Visitor guidelines are in place for all UCLA Health patient care areas. Visiting hours and policies may vary by location and specific unit. Masks are recommended but not required in patient care areas. | Generally 8 am to 8 pm daily, up to 2 visitors at a time, one adult visitor allowed overnight |
| Language Support Services | Provides language services to all inpatients, outpatients, and their relatives at no cost. Offers services in multiple languages, including Spanish, American Sign Language, Mandarin, and more. Interpretation services are available in person, via video conference, or by telephone. | Language interpreters and resources for the hard of hearing, language interpretation at no cost, video remote interpreting (VRI), American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, contact Patient Relations for assistance |