Both Massachusetts General Hospital and Cleveland Clinic are excellent choices for healthcare, with strengths in different areas. Massachusetts General Hospital stands out for its patient experience and strong research program, while Cleveland Clinic is renowned for its cardiology and surgical expertise. The best choice depends on the specific medical needs and preferences of the patient.
| Attribute | Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA) | Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Hospital Rating | 5-out-of-5 star rating from CMS | U.S. News & World Report: #2 overall in the U.S. (2020-2021), #1 in Ohio (2025); Healthgrades: America's 250 Best Hospitals Award Leapfrog Group (fall 2023): 'A' grades for eight U.S. hospitals, three 'B', three 'C', and two 'D' |
| Specialty Rankings | #1 in psychiatry, #4 in ophthalmology, #6 in ear, nose, and throat, #6 in neurology and neurosurgery, #6 in rheumatology, Recognized in 13 specialties by U.S. News & World Report | #1 in the United States for cardiology and heart surgery for 14 years in a row; U.S. News & World Report 2025: #3 in Gastroenterology and GI Surgery, #3 in Cardiology, #5 in Geriatrics, and #8 in Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Patient Experience Scores | Outstanding Patient Experience Award (Healthgrades and other), Patient Experience Rating is 84% (18% higher than national average) | U.S. News & World Report: 4 out of 5 stars; Healthgrades: 81% patient experience rating (15% higher than the national average); HCAHPS survey measures patients' perspectives of their hospital care |
| Infection Rates | Some ratings for infection safeguards were worse than expected, including respiratory failure following surgery and catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired at the hospital | Infection Prevention program focused on improving healthcare quality; Surgical site infection rates: 0% (2020), 2.4% (2021), 2.3% (2022), 3.0% (2023) for major cardiac, neurological shunt, and spine fusion procedures; Lower C. diff infection rates than the national average |
| Surgical Success Rates | Surgical Care Excellence Award, Superior clinical outcomes in surgical care across 15 common in-hospital surgical procedures | Lower-than-expected in-hospital mortality rates for isolated cardiac procedures; Three stars in all seven categories for major cardiac surgical procedures |
| Availability of Advanced Technologies | da Vinci Surgical System for robotic surgery | At the forefront of advanced techniques, including robotic surgery; Advanced robotic techniques for heart and valve surgeries |
| Research Activity and Innovation | World's largest hospital-based research program, Annual research budget exceeding $1.2 billion in 2021, Over 1,200 clinical trials ongoing | Major research center with the Lerner Research Institute; Global Center for Pathogen Research & Human Health; Partnership with IBM for high-performance computing |
| Number of Beds | 1,011 beds (increasing from 900 to 994 licensed beds) | Main campus: 1,290 beds; Cleveland Clinic Foundation: 6,690 beds |
| Teaching Hospital Status | Original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School | Affiliated with multiple universities, including Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine; Cleveland Clinic Florida designated a Statutory Teaching Hospital |
| Insurance Coverage Acceptance | Accepts most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid | Accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and various commercial plans; Accepts group health plans nationally |
| Distance and Accessibility | Located in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Accessible via the MBTA Red Line at Charles/MGH station. | Main campus: 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio; Multiple locations in Northeast Ohio, other states, and international locations |
| Outpatient Services Offered | Outpatient visits are available at the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care and other community locations. | Family health centers, ambulatory surgery centers, and urgent care clinics; Outpatient surgery centers operate in conjunction with family health centers |
| Price | Not available | Not available |