Lancaster General Health has been listed as one of the country's 50 best hospitals, according to an information and research company.

Heath Grades Inc., based in Denver, last week released the report America's 50 Best Hospitals.

The company researched 12 years of Medicare data, more than 150 million hospitalization records and reviewed 26 major diagnoses and procedures to identify the list, according to the report.

To be included in the study, hospitals needed to have met minimum patient volume, quality ratings and range of services available. To be on the list, hospitals must have received Health Grades' Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence for at least seven consecutive years.

LGH's top procedures and treatments based on survival rates and cost were:

• Back and neck surgery, except spinal fusion
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management
• Gynecologic surgery
• Heart attack management
• Hip fracture treatment
• Gastrointestinal bleed management
• Stroke treatment

"These hospitals demonstrated superior and sustained clinical quality, ranking them in the top five percent of all hospitals in the nation," the report stated.

LGH executives were unable to comment on the award, spokeswoman Frieda Schmidt said.

The hospital ratings are independently created, with no hospital opting in or choosing not to participate, according to Health Grades. No hospital pays to be rated, according to the report.