Sanford Medical Center Fargo, located in Fargo, ND, is a general medical and surgical facility recognized for its high performance in various specialties, procedures, and conditions. This article provides an overview of Sanford Medical Center Fargo, incorporating data on its rankings, patient experience, and weight management programs.
Nationally Recognized Performance
Sanford Medical Center Fargo has received recognition for its performance in one adult specialty and 15 procedures and conditions. According to the U.S. News & World Report, which evaluates data from nearly 5,000 hospitals, Sanford Medical Center Fargo excels in caring for the sickest and most medically complex patients.
Adult Rankings
As of July 29, 2025, Sanford Medical Center Fargo is rated in the following adult specialties:
- Cancer: High Performing in Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma, Colon Cancer Surgery, and Prostate Cancer Surgery. Rated "As Expected" in Lung Cancer Surgery. Notably, it is an NCI-designated cancer center.
- Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery: Procedures include Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Heart Attack, Heart Arrhythmia, Aortic Valve Surgery, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure, Pacemaker Implantation, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).
- Diabetes & Endocrinology: Focus on Diabetes.
- Ear, Nose & Throat
- Gastroenterology & GI Surgery: Includes Colon Cancer Surgery.
- Geriatrics
- Neurology & Neurosurgery: Includes Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion) and Stroke.
- Obstetrics & Gynecology: Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy).
- Orthopedics: Includes Hip Fracture, Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion), Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement.
- Pulmonology & Lung Surgery: Includes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Lung Cancer Surgery, and Pneumonia.
- Rehabilitation
- Urology: Includes Prostate Cancer Surgery.
These ratings reflect the hospital's performance in treating serious cases and its ability to deliver high-quality care across a range of medical needs.
Patient Experience and Satisfaction
Patient experience is a critical component of healthcare evaluation. Sanford Medical Center Fargo gathers patient feedback through surveys, specifically the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, which is administered to patients after their hospital stay. The survey assesses various aspects of patient satisfaction.
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Overall Satisfaction and Willingness to Recommend
The HCAHPS survey evaluates overall satisfaction with the hospital, reflecting how patients felt about their stay and discharge. It also measures the willingness of patients to recommend the hospital to others, providing insights into the hospital's reputation and patient trust.
Hospital Facility and Communication
The survey also covers aspects related to the hospital facility and communication. This includes how well the hospital listens to patients and ensures patient safety. These factors contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the patient experience at Sanford Medical Center Fargo.
Socioeconomic Representation in Access to Care
An important aspect of healthcare quality is how well a hospital serves its surrounding community. Sanford Medical Center Fargo's data includes socioeconomic representation in access to care, focusing on the representation of low-income patients and those from vulnerable neighborhoods.
Representation of Low-Income Patients
The data includes the percentage of patients treated by the hospital who are insured by Medicaid, indicating the hospital's role in providing care to low-income individuals.
Representation of People from Vulnerable Neighborhoods
The percentage of patients treated by the hospital who live in more disadvantaged neighborhoods is measured using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI). The ADI compares socioeconomic disadvantage of neighborhoods at the national and state levels, providing insights into the hospital's reach within vulnerable communities.
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Demographic Representation
The hospital also tracks demographic representation, comparing the percentage of patients treated for elective procedures to the community's demographic makeup. This includes data on non-white, Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Native American patients.
Outcomes Disparities
Outcomes disparities are an important metric for evaluating healthcare equity. Sanford Medical Center Fargo tracks how successful the hospital is in enabling Black patients to live at home during their first 30 days of recovery, with no time or minimal time spent in a hospital, ER, or nursing home, compared to White patients at that hospital.
Evaluation Methodology
U.S. News & World Report uses a comprehensive methodology to evaluate hospitals. It includes 15 specialty rankings (11 for Children’s Hospitals) and 22 procedure and condition ratings. The specialty rankings are for patients seeking hospitals that excel in treating more serious cases. Hospitals are ranked from 1 to 50 in each specialty, with those in the top 10% rated as "high performing."
Data Sources and Factors Considered
The rankings rely on objective, publicly available data, such as Medicare claims. Factors considered include:
- Patient outcomes, such as survival rate and the rate at which patients were able to return home.
- Patient experience.
- Care-related factors, such as nurse staffing levels and patient services.
- Expert opinion based on surveys of specialists.
For the 22 commonly needed procedures and conditions, hospitals are rated as ‘high performing,’ ‘as expected,’ or ‘evaluated.’ The analysis includes data from Medicare and Medicare Advantage claims to assess risk-adjusted outcomes, such as 30-day survival, 30-day readmission, and length of stay.
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Additional Variables
Variables linked to quality of care are also factored in, including the number of patients treated, nurse staffing & communication, and participation in public data registries. Patient satisfaction scores from the HCAHPS survey are included in the ratings for all procedures and conditions.
Sanford Eating Disorders & Weight Management Clinic
Sanford Health offers specialized programs through its Eating Disorders & Weight Management Clinic, providing long-term solutions for individuals struggling with their weight and related issues.
Comprehensive Approach
Sanford's approach involves compassionate care and support at every step. The clinic provides treatment for men and women with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and other eating disorders. Depending on individual needs, treatment may include a hospital stay or a day program, also known as partial hospitalization.
Weight Management Program
The weight management program is tailored to specific needs and goals, offering long-term strategies for maintaining a healthy weight. This program is designed for individuals who struggle with physical, behavioral, or emotional relationships with food or weight.
Patient Success Story
Angela Mastel, a 38-year-old from Moorhead, shared her experience with the Sanford weight management clinic. After reaching a weight of 251 pounds and struggling with dieting, she sought help from Sanford. Her weight loss doctor prescribed medication to slow down cravings and treat her binge eating disorder. Combined with increased exercise and routine meetings with her wellness coach, Amanda Weyrauch, Mastel lost 57 pounds in a year.