The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its latest Hospital Compare ratings on Wednesday, July 27. In past years, a star rating was given based solely on patient satisfaction. This quarter, CMS created a new hospital star rating system based upon overall performance (Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating). Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber is proud to have received a four-star quality rating out of a potential five stars.
President Tom Kurtz said, “Simply stated, we care for our patients as individuals. We adapt to their needs. Our staff strive to create and maintain these valuable relationships with our patients, our physicians, and our community. This is truly a team effort and reflects the values of the physicians and staff of the medical center.”
He continued, “These are not just numbers they are a reflection of the focus we have on our patients. This is not a static measurement and we must continue with our efforts to maintain this rating and strive for five stars.”
The change in rating was created in an effort to increase patient satisfaction transparency and patient empowerment by providing consumers with the information they need to make informed care decisions. The hospital encourages patients to use Hospital Compare as another tool in their healthcare provider selection process.
According to the CMS Hospital Compare website, “The overall rating summarizes up to 64 quality measures reflecting common conditions that hospitals treat, such as heart attacks or pneumonia. Hospitals may perform more complex services or procedures not reflected in the measures on Hospital Compare. The overall rating shows how well each hospital performed, on average, compared to other hospitals in the U.S.”
Founded in 1906, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber (CSSMCW) is an independent, non-profit acute care hospital in northern Somerset County, bordering Cambria County. The 54-bed hospital shares a campus and collaborates with Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine at Windber (CSSIMMW), a private, non-profit biomedical research center. With more than 450 employees, CSSMCW is the fourth largest employer in Somerset County. CSSMCW’s mission is to provide excellence in personalized, quality health care services through innovation, research and education in response to community needs. For more information visit www.windbercare.org.