The official grading system
Chinese hospitals are classified into three levels: level 1 (community), level 2 (regional) and level 3 (tertiary hospitals that provide complex, specialist care and teaching). Within each level, hospitals receive a grade, with A as the highest.
A Grade 3A hospital (三级甲等, sān jí jiǎ děng) is therefore a tertiary hospital in the highest grade. Most of the hospitals that international patients consider, such as the large university teaching hospitals, are Grade 3A.
National rankings
Two kinds of national comparisons are widely cited in China:
- The Fudan University hospital ranking, published by Fudan University’s Hospital Management Institute, combines a survey of specialists’ opinions with research output. It ranks hospitals overall and by specialty.
- The national performance assessment of tertiary public hospitals, run by the National Health Commission, evaluates hospitals on quality, efficiency and other indicators.
What matters most for you
The grade and overall ranking tell you that a hospital is large and well equipped, but the strength of the department and its experience with your specific condition matter more. A hospital ranked lower overall can have one of the best departments in the country for a particular disease.
Frequently asked questions
Is every Grade 3A hospital equally good?
No. Grade 3A is the highest official level, but there are many Grade 3A hospitals and their strengths differ widely. Look at the specific department and its experience with your condition.
Are private hospitals graded?
Private and international hospitals are often not graded in the same way as large public hospitals. Some hold international accreditation instead.