Both Cedars-Sinai and UCLA Health are excellent hospitals with strengths in different areas. UCLA Health holds the top ranking and accepts a wider range of insurance plans, while Cedars-Sinai excels in robotic technologies and has detailed data on readmission and infection rates. The choice between them may depend on individual needs and priorities, such as specific medical specialties, insurance coverage, or preference for robotic surgery.
| Attribute | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | UCLA Health |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Ranking (US News & World Report) | Tied for #1 in California and Los Angeles for 2024-25. Named to the Honor Roll for the ninth consecutive year. Rankings are based on patient outcomes, patient experience, technology, and reputation among physicians. | #1 in both California and Los Angeles in 2024, U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll (top 20 hospitals) |
| Specialty Care Excellence (e.g., Cardiology, Oncology) | Nationally ranked in 11 specialties. Top rankings include: Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery: #2 or #6; Gastroenterology & GI Surgery: #2; Orthopedics: #2 or #5; Pulmonology & Lung Surgery: #2 or #5; Neurology & Neurosurgery: #5 or #9 (tied); Urology: #5 or #12 (tied); Diabetes & Endocrinology: #7 (tied) or #9; Obstetrics & Gynecology: #7 or #5; Geriatrics: #8 or #13; Cancer: #14 or #16; Ear, Nose & Throat: #19 or #39 | Top 10 nationally in 12 medical specialties including: ear, nose and throat (#1); pulmonology and lung surgery (#3); diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology/gastrointestinal surgery, urology (#4); geriatrics, ophthalmology, psychiatry (#5); rheumatology (#8); cancer, neurology and neurosurgery, and orthopaedics (#9). High performing in all 20 procedures and conditions rated by U.S. News & World Report. Cardio-oncology program is an International Cardio-Oncology Society Gold Center of Excellence. |
| Emergency Room Wait Times | Vary depending on the number of patients, staffing levels, and admitting procedures. One review mentioned a 1-hour wait in the waiting room and a short time in the ER before seeing a doctor. Another review noted an 8-hour stay in the ER, but considered it better than another hospital's ER experience. | Not available |
| Patient Satisfaction Scores | Consistently receives high patient satisfaction scores. Patient satisfaction scores in medical practices are consistently in the top 10% of hospitals nationally. Focus on listening to patient feedback and implementing improvements. | 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 in 2016. |
| Availability of Advanced Technology (e.g., robotic surgery) | Leader in robotic technologies for diagnosis and treatment. Offers minimally invasive robotic surgery options. Has one of the busiest robotic thoracic surgery programs in the western U.S. First in the western U.S. to offer microsurgical robotic capabilities. | Offers the latest technologies and access to new therapies and clinical trials. Uses robotic surgery, including the da Vinci surgical system. |
| Insurance Coverage Acceptance | Not available | Accepts a wide range of health insurance plans, including Medicare and most HMO and PPO insurance, and various behavioral health insurance plans. |
| Location and Accessibility (e.g., parking, public transport) | Located in the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles. Easily accessible by car or public transportation. Ample parking available. Accessible via Metro Expo Line and Big Blue Bus (Route 20). | Multiple locations throughout Southern California. New facilities planned near Los Angeles International Airport. |
| On-site Amenities (e.g., cafeteria, pharmacy) | Cafeteria, Pharmacy | Not available |
| Physician Credentials and Expertise | Affiliated with top universities and hosts residency and fellowship programs. Staffed by well-trained and certified interpreters. | Physicians and providers have access to advanced diagnostics, treatments, and research. Global experts in the diagnosis and treatment of complex illnesses. |
| Research and Clinical Trial Participation | Multiple National Institutes of Health grants for research programs. | Conducts research for a wide range of medical disorders and offers patients opportunities to participate in research and clinical trials. Active clinical research program committed to developing cutting-edge treatments. |
| Language Support Services | Offers multilingual staff and interpreter services. Free aids and language assistance services are available, including qualified interpreters and information in other languages. Interpreter Services can be contacted at 310-423-5353. | Provides language services to all inpatients, outpatients, and their relatives at no cost. Services are provided in person, via video conference, or by telephone. Interpretation services provided in 112 languages. |
| Infection Rates | Magnet hospitals have lower infection rates. The overall readmission rate dropped from 13.9% in 2019 to 11.5% in 2023. Below average performance scores for some infections, according to a 2022 report: *C. difficile* infection, Infection in the blood, Infection in the urinary tract, Surgical site infection after colon surgery, Sepsis infection after surgery. Monitors and reports healthcare-associated infection data. | Not available |
| Pros | High patient satisfaction scores, Leader in robotic technologies, Convenient location and accessibility, Multilingual staff and interpreter services, Affiliated with top universities, Lower readmission rate, Focus on compassionate care, Effective communication between staff and patients, Clean environment | Consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the U.S., Highly ranked in many adult specialties, Offers the latest technologies and access to new therapies and clinical trials, Accepts a wide range of health insurance plans, Provides language services to all inpatients, outpatients, and their relatives at no cost, Cleanliness of the facilities |
| Cons | Emergency room wait times can vary, Below average performance scores for some infections | Challenges in scheduling appointments and wait times, Some patients have reported confusion and lack of communication due to practitioner turnover |