CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. News & World Report’s 2011-12 Best Hospitals rankings released today listed the orthopedics program at Carolinas Medical Center-Main as one of the top 50 in the nation.

Three Carolinas Healthcare System hospitals and Presbyterian Hospital were rated among the top hospitals in the Charlotte region in U.S. News’ updated major metro area rankings.

The rankings, published by U.S. News for the past 22 years, showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide and cover 16 specialties. The rankings are based on clinical and operational data and physicians’ responses to a national survey.

The U.S. News updated metro area rankings recognized three Carolinas Healthcare hospitals among the top five facilities in the Charlotte metro area. CMC-Main near Uptown Charlotte ranked No. 1 overall, followed by CMC-NorthEast in Concord and Gaston Memorial Hospital. CMC-Mercy in Pineville and Presbyterian Hospital tied for fourth in the region.