GALION — With three stars apiece — out of a possible five — Galion and Bucyrus hospitals ranked about average, when compared to others hospital across the nation, in overall quality based on ratings from the federal government.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services made the ratings available in July.
The comparisons are based on 2014 criteria and have been criticized by some for tagging hospitals generally recognized as some of the best in the industry as average or below-average. There were also complaints because many previously “unheralded” hospitals received top scores.
“While there does seem to be a point of controversy in reference to the criteria for judging the 5 star rating process, CMS created it to assist the average person who finds themselves mystified by the information presented on US Hospital Compare. The intention is to “help” the consumer,” said Kelby King, community relations and marketing manager for Avita Health Systems.
And while some were not satisfied with their ratings, King sees a positive.
“One of the upsides to having scores collected and released is that it may spark competition and provide a momentum for improvement,” she said.
This new rating system included more criteria that previous ratings, which were based mostly on patient satisfaction measures. Across the nation, 3,617 hospitals werenationally on a one- to five-star scale. Five was the best rating.
Galion and Bucyrus hospital are part of Avita Health System.
“The real determination of a hospital’s worth is in the voice of the patient and their overall experience,” King said. “It is important that hospital organizations, both small and large, demonstrate top patient satisfaction scores as well as strong statistical evidence of high marks in the quality of care.”
While average, according to the CMS ratings, Avita hospitals are striving to be better.
“By incorporating a Patient Experience program, Avita continues to increase our scores at both Galion and Bucyrus Hospitals,” King said. “The scores released on US Hospital Compare are from 2014 and are not an accurate measurement of current hospital scoring. This is a common frustration among hospital systems. We are delighted, however, with the improvements we’ve been able to make over the past several years although our current scores are not reflected.”
OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital received a two-star rating. It was the only one near Galion with a below-average rating. Ohio State University Hospitals and Grant Medical Center in Columbus also received two stars.
OhioHealth Shelby Hospital, Ashland’s Samaritan Regional Health System, Fisher-Titus Hospital in Norwalk, Mercy Willard Hospital and Morrow County Hospital in Mount Gilead, received four stars, as did the Cleveland Clinic
For information, visit the CMS website at www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/search.html?
