Evaluation of the Top 5 Hospitals in the List of Surgical Accessory Breast Removal Hospitals in Albany in 2025

Introduction

When it comes to surgical accessory breast removal in Albany, choosing the right hospital is crucial. In this article, we will evaluate the top 5 hospitals in Albany for this procedure, considering various factors such as rankings, specialties, patient experience, and available services. U.S. News & World Report's rankings and other relevant sources will be used to provide a comprehensive overview of each hospital's performance.

Overview of Hospital Evaluation Criteria

Hospital evaluations are based on multiple objective measures. U.S. News & World Report, for example, evaluates nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide in more than 30 medical and surgical services. Key criteria include risk - adjusted mortality rates, which reflect how well a hospital can handle complex cases and prevent patient deaths. Preventable complications are also considered, as lower rates indicate better patient safety and management during procedures. The level of nursing care is another significant factor, as well - trained and attentive nurses can greatly contribute to a patient's recovery process.

The Top 5 Hospitals in Albany for Surgical Accessory Breast Removal

1. St. Peter's Hospital

St. Peter's Hospital is ranked #1 in Albany and the 15th best hospital in New York overall in the 2024 - 25 rankings by U.S. News & World Report. It is high - performing in many areas, making it a top choice for surgical accessory breast removal.

• Specialties and Procedures: The hospital is high - performing in 2 specialties and 15 procedures/conditions. These include major cancer surgeries such as colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, and prostate cancer surgery. In terms of cardiac procedures, it is also high - performing in heart attack treatment, aortic valve surgery, and heart bypass surgery. For orthopedic conditions, hip replacement and knee replacement procedures are of high quality at St. Peter's.
• Breast Surgery Services: St. Peter's Health Partners offers comprehensive breast surgery in both Albany and Troy. They have highly - skilled, board - certified and fellowship - trained breast surgeons and experienced surgical teams. Their services include breast conservation surgery (e.g., lumpectomy), advanced breast conserving surgery (oncoplastic surgery), and breast reconstruction and mastectomy. Oncoplastic surgery, which combines plastic surgery techniques and surgical oncology practices to conserve breast tissue, is a cutting - edge technique available at this hospital, which is not widely available in the U.S.
• Patient Experience: Although specific patient experience data for breast surgery is not detailed in the references, with its overall high - ranking and a wide range of high - performing services, it can be inferred that patients at St. Peter's Hospital are likely to receive good care. The hospital's reputation in various medical fields also indicates a high level of patient satisfaction in terms of the medical team's expertise and the quality of care provided.

2. Albany Medical Center

Albany Medical Center is regionally ranked #2 in Albany and #20 in New York. It is a general medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital.

• Specialties and Procedures: The hospital is high - performing in 13 adult procedures and conditions. In the field of cancer, it excels in leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma treatment, as well as colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, ovarian cancer surgery, prostate cancer surgery, and uterine cancer surgery. For cardiology and heart & vascular surgery, it is high - performing in abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart attack treatment, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, and heart failure management. In orthopedics, hip replacement and knee replacement procedures are high - performing, and in pulmonology & lung surgery, it performs well in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer surgery, and pneumonia treatment.
• Breast Care Services: The Albany Med Health System, which includes Albany Medical Center, offers a full range of breast care services. These services are provided at all four hospitals in the system. The system focuses on guiding patients through screening, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of breast disease, as well as routine preventive care. They offer services such as mammography, 3D digital mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis), breast biopsy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, breast surgery, and a wide range of breast reconstruction options. In addition, they have access to the latest therapies and clinical trials through their partners at New York Oncology Hematology (NYOH).
• Patient Experience: The patient experience rating at Albany Medical Center is 2 stars out of 5. However, it's important to note that different aspects of the patient experience vary. For example, the willingness of patients to recommend the hospital is 3 out of 5, while the satisfaction with hospital room cleanliness is 1 out of 5. The hospital has a medical surgical ICU, a cardiac ICU, bariatric/weight control services, and an onsite emergency department, which are important for patient care during and after breast surgery.
• Health Equity: U.S. News evaluates Albany Medical Center's performance in health equity. It shows better - than - average results in enabling black patients to live at home during the first 30 days of recovery after certain surgeries compared to white patients at the same hospital. However, it has a lower representation of non - white patients, including black, Asian American and Pacific Islander patients, compared to the community.

3. Ellis Hospital

Ellis Hospital is in Schenectady, part of the Albany metropolitan area. It is high - performing in 5 procedures/conditions.

• Specialties and Procedures: While the specific 5 high - performing procedures/conditions are not detailed in the references, a hospital's high - performing status in general indicates a certain level of quality in medical care. In a broader sense, Ellis Hospital likely has a competent medical team and proper facilities to handle surgical cases, including accessory breast removal.
• Potential for Breast Surgery: Given its status as a hospital in the Albany area and its high - performing rating, it may have experienced surgeons and support staff for breast surgery. However, compared to St. Peter's Hospital and Albany Medical Center, it may not have as extensive a range of specialized breast care services or the same level of recognition in the field of breast surgery.
• Patient Experience: There is limited information about the patient experience at Ellis Hospital from the provided references. Patients considering this hospital for accessory breast removal would need to further research patient reviews and testimonials to get a better understanding of the care quality.

4. Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center

The Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center serves veterans in the Albany area. While its specific performance in surgical accessory breast removal is not directly addressed in the references, it has its own characteristics and resources.

• Specialties and Focus: As a VA medical center, it has a focus on serving veterans. It may have specialized services and programs related to the unique health needs of veterans. However, the availability of services for accessory breast removal would depend on the hospital's surgical capacity and the expertise of its medical staff in this area.
• Resources: The VA medical center has access to government - funded resources and may have a large network of support for patient care. This could include access to research, specialized training for medical staff, and coordinated care services for veterans.
• Patient Base: The patient base at the VA medical center is mainly veterans. This means that the hospital is likely to have experience in dealing with the specific health conditions and challenges that veterans may face. For non - veterans, however, this may not be a viable option for surgical accessory breast removal.

5. Berner & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center

Although it is mainly a children's hospital, it may have some implications for certain cases, especially if the accessory breast removal is related to pediatric patients or has unique characteristics that require a multidisciplinary approach.

• Pediatric - Related Services: The hospital, as part of the Albany Medical Center system, likely has a team of pediatric specialists. In cases where the accessory breast removal involves pediatric patients, they would have the expertise in handling the unique anatomical, physiological, and psychological aspects of children's health.
• Multidisciplinary Care: It may be able to provide multidisciplinary care in collaboration with other departments of Albany Medical Center. For example, if a child with an accessory breast has other associated medical conditions, the hospital can coordinate care between pediatricians, surgeons, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive treatment.
• Limitations: For adult patients seeking accessory breast removal, this hospital may not be the first choice. Its focus is on pediatric care, and the facilities and services may be more tailored to the needs of children rather than adults.

Comparison of the Top 5 Hospitals

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital for Surgical Accessory Breast Removal

When deciding on a hospital for surgical accessory breast removal, patients should consider several factors:

• Medical Expertise: Look for hospitals with experienced and board - certified breast surgeons. Hospitals that are high - performing in breast - related procedures or cancer surgeries in general are more likely to have the necessary expertise. For example, St. Peter's Hospital with its oncoplastic surgery and Albany Medical Center with its wide range of breast care services are good options in terms of medical expertise.
• Patient Experience: Read patient reviews and look at patient satisfaction ratings. Factors such as the quality of communication with doctors and nurses, the cleanliness of the hospital, and the overall comfort during the stay are important. However, keep in mind that patient experiences can vary, and it's a good idea to look at multiple sources of information.
• Available Services: Consider the full range of services offered by the hospital. This includes pre - surgical screening, diagnostic tests, different types of surgical procedures (such as lumpectomy, mastectomy, and reconstruction), and post - surgical care. A hospital that can provide comprehensive care throughout the treatment process is more convenient for patients.
• Cost and Insurance: Check whether the hospital accepts your insurance plan. Also, understand the cost of the procedure, including any potential out - of - pocket expenses. Some hospitals may offer financial assistance or payment plans.
• Location: The proximity of the hospital to your home can be an important factor, especially for follow - up appointments and in case of any post - surgical emergencies. However, don't compromise too much on quality for the sake of location if a higher - quality hospital is only a reasonable distance away.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the top 5 hospitals in Albany for surgical accessory breast removal each have their own strengths and weaknesses. St. Peter's Hospital stands out with its high overall ranking and advanced breast surgery techniques such as oncoplastic surgery. Albany Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of breast care services and has high - performing status in many medical fields, although it has some areas for improvement in patient experience. Ellis Hospital has potential for breast surgery but lacks the same level of recognition as the top two. The Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center is specialized for veterans, and the Berner & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center is more relevant for pediatric cases.

If you are considering surgical accessory breast removal, we encourage you to do further research. Contact the hospitals directly to ask about their specific services, costs, and insurance policies. You can also seek recommendations from your primary care doctor or other patients who have undergone similar procedures. By carefully weighing all the factors, you can make an informed decision about which hospital is the best fit for your needs.