Awards and ratings

Each year, Abbott Northwestern is recognized for its exceptional expertise and care. The hospital's services, doctors and nurses are acclaimed nationally and locally by organizations like U.S. News & World Report, The Joint Commission, the American Nurses Credentialing Center and more. For example:

  • Abbott Northwestern Hospital retained first place for the Best Hospital in the Twin Cities and second in Minnesota in the U.S. News & World Report 2023-24 Best Hospitals rankings for the 11th year in a row. Abbott Northwestern Hospital received national recognition in two specialty areas: neurology and neurosurgery, and pulmonology and lung surgery. Learn more about Abbott ranking #1.

  • Abbott Northwestern Hospital is proud to be Magnet Recognition Program® designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. As a recipient of the highest level of nursing recognition, Magnet designation recognizes Abbott Northwestern Hospital for its quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Learn more about nursing at Abbott Northwestern.

  • Hospitals and Health Systems With Great Orthopedic Programs bannerAbbott Northwestern is rated among the 2023 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Orthopedic Programs according to Becker's Healthcare. Programs on this list are recognized for providing exceptional orthopedic care to a high volume of patients each year, using the most innovative technologies available. 
  • Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital achieved full accreditation status with gold commendation by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons. The Institute has held the gold commendation for three consecutive accreditations and was also honored in 2016 with CoC’s national Outstanding Achievement Award for excellence in providing the highest quality care to cancer patients.

  • A banner celebrating Abbott Northwestern's selection as one of the best smart hospitals by NewsweekAbbott Northwestern Hospital was recognized as one of the top 20 “smart” hospitals in the world by Newsweek on Sept. 13, 2023. Hospitals that were chosen stand out for their use of electronic functionalities, telemedicine, digital imaging and robotics.

  • Leapfrog Safety Grade LogoAbbott Northwestern Hospital is proud to have earned an “A” grade for patient safety in the Spring 2022 Leapfrog Safety Grade rankings. Abbott Northwestern Hospital is one of 11 hospitals in Minnesota to receive an A ranking and was recognized for its achievements in protecting patients from harm and error in the hospital.
     
  • In 2016, the Joint Replacement Center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement. Abbott Northwestern is the first hospital in Minnesota, and only the fourth nationwide, to earn this certification. Abbott Northwestern was awarded two-year recertification in June 2018.

  • Abbott Northwestern Hospital, in 2015, received certification from DNV GLHealthcare as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of competence for treatment of serious stroke events. Comprehensive stroke centers are typically the largest and best-equipped hospitals in a given geographical area that can treat any kind of stroke complication.

  • The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) again granted Magnet Recognition Program® status to Abbott Northwestern in 2019. The hospital received its original designation in 2009. This achievement is reached by fewer than ten percent of all hospitals worldwide. The ANCC states that Magnet-designated hospitals consistently deliver better patient outcomes than non-Magnet hospitals, including more time spent at the patient’s bedside by nurses, shorter lengths of patient stay, lower patient mortality rates, higher patient satisfaction rates, and higher nurse retention, recruitment, and job satisfaction rates.

  • The Society of Chest Pain Centers designated Abbott Northwestern in 2011 as an Accredited Chest Pain Center. The accreditation acknowledges the collaboration and commitment of Minneapolis Heart Institute®, Abbott Northwestern's Emergency Department, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and other medical personnel dedicated to rigorous processes proven to reduce mortality and morbidity from heart disease. Abbott Northwestern was the first Minnesota hospital to receive this designation in 2008.

  • CARF International provided accreditation in 2008 and reaccreditation to the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute at Abbott Northwestern for: stroke specialty programs; spinal cord system of care for children adolescents and adults; and inpatient rehabilitation services for children, adolescents and adults. CARF is an independent nonprofit accrediting body that works to promote quality, value and optimal outcomes of services.