Let's take a step back from the upcoming travel season to acknowledge something important: if you're going to explore the limits of our awesome state, you need to be in good health! Over 90,000 patients a day are admitted to U.S. hospitals and finding the one that will not only provide excellent healthcare but make your stay and/or visit as stress-free as possible often plays a huge role in recovery. Is the one your doctor recommended the best hospital in Idaho for you? Doing your research on the place where you will receive care is very important.

There are dozens of factors that go into determining the best places to get medical care, but the U.S. News & World Report declares that these 10 hospitals are the best in the state. The methodology ranks hospitals based on 16 adult "specialty" treatments and 10 pediatric ones that are a combination of data and reputation. However, since no national ranking surveys have rated Idaho beyond its largest metro facilities, we've also done our best to search out award-winning facilities and the best hospitals in Idaho.

1. St. Luke's Regional Medical Center - Boise

Overview: General medical and surgical | 574 beds

Number of Doctors: 619

Number of Nurses: 1,155

Scoring high in patient safety, commitment, and overall doctor-to-patient ratios, St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in both Boise and Meridian has been repeatedly ranked among the Top 100 hospitals in the country. It's also often considered the best hospital in Boise, Idaho. It also achieved the highest rating possible in 9 different procedures and is nationally ranked in pulmonary care.

2. Kootenai Medical Center - Coeur d'Alene

Overview: General medical and surgical | 251 Beds

Number of Doctors: 213

Number of Nurses: 325

At Kootenai Medical Center you'll find quality care for North Idaho, an expanding emergency facility, and an environment so welcoming that the hospital has been ranked as the best large health workplace. You'll even find free car seat training at this location.

3. Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center - Boise

Overview: General medical and surgical | 399 Beds

Number of Doctors: 954

Number of Nurses: 558

While Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical doesn't rank nationally in any particular specialty, it gets top scores for its elderly patient care, with high marks in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Cardiology, and more.

4. West Valley Medical Center - Caldwell

West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell is the only hospital in the state to be a Five-Star recipient in Gall Bladder Surgery and Prostatectomy, and for multiple years running. New technology upgrades and improved surgery facilities enable this hospital to better serve Canyon County and make national lists doing it.

5. Northwest Specialty Hospital - Post Falls

Repeatedly ranked as one of the top facilities in the nation in terms of patient care, the Northwest Specialty Hospital in North Idaho is all about the pre and post-service for its patients. That means low waiting times, caring employees, excellent facilities, and personalized follow-up care. It's received a Women's Choice Award for two years running.

6. St. Luke's Magic Valley Regional Medical Center - Twin Falls

The Twin Falls St. Luke's Magic Valley Regional Medical Center scores above average in overall patient care, with its specialties being heart attack care, heart failure care, and pneumonia care. If you or someone you love is dealing with a cardiac issue, St. Luke's is a good choice to get the help you need.

7. Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center - Idaho Falls

As the largest facility in the region, the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls plays a vital role in getting top-notch care to Eastern Idaho, including the use of the Idaho Cancer Center, 3D Mammography technology, and the Ask-A-Nurse Hotline.

8. Portneuf Medical Center - Pocatello

When it comes to choosing the right healthcare facility, communication is essential to understanding your diagnosis, and your treatment or payment options. The Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello ranks much higher than the national average when it comes to doctor-patient interactions, doctor explanations, and overall courtesy and respect throughout the treatment navigation process. Bedside manner is an integral part of the healthcare process, and this hospital does very well in this area.

9. St. Joseph Regional Medical Center - Lewiston

The acute-care St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston rated better than the national average for both the overall hospital experience and a weighted average of nine individual measures, including Communication, Care Transition, and a low level of readmission.

10. Mountain View Hospital, Idaho Falls

Overall satisfaction is through the roof at Mountain View Hospital in Idaho Falls, with over 82% of patients recommending this hospital--a 62/100 rating.

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While we've chosen these 10 as the top in the state, there are dozens of small-town facilities that haven't made headlines but are still well-equipped and well-staffed to take care of you. Be sure to do your own additional research to find which hospital is most likely to get you back up on your feet ASAP! Have you or one of your loved ones ever had to go to one of these hospitals for inpatient or outpatient care? Let us know if you had a positive experience with these facilities in the comments section.

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