St. Joseph’s Hospital receives 5-Star rating from federal government | Belleville News-Democrat

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital (Highland) was one of only 251 hospitals nationwide to earn five stars in a new rating system recently released by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

CMS created the star ratings in order to enable consumers to more quickly and easily assess the hospital patient experience of care information that is provided on its Hospital Compare website.

On a scale of one to five, more stars indicate better quality care. The ratings are based on patient experience surveys sent to a random sample of adult patients between 48 hours and six weeks of discharge.

CMS’ new summary star rating is based on 11 facets of patient experience encompassing:

▪ communication with nurses;

▪ communication with doctors;

▪ responsiveness of hospital staff;

▪ pain management;

▪ communication about medicines;

▪ discharge information;

▪ care transition;

▪ cleanliness of hospital environment;

▪ quietness of hospital environment ;

▪ overall hospital rating; and

▪ likelihood to recommend the hospital.

“Receiving this 5-star rating from the federal government is validation that our patient-centered focus of delivering health care services resonates with those who come to us for their health care needs,” says Peggy A. Sebastian, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital. “Even more, this recognition highlights the fact that our colleagues, physicians, and volunteers consistently demonstrate our Core Values of Respect, Care, Competence, and Joy in revealing Christ’s healing love through our high-quality Franciscan health care ministry.”

SJH received a higher score than 25 metro-St. Louis hospitals located on both sides of the Mississippi River.

However, St. Joseph’s Hospital-Highland was not the only local hospital to receive a 5-Star Rating from the federal government.

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital-Breese also received an identical rating from CMS. Both hospitals are affiliates of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS).

“Talk to any of our colleagues and you’ll find a true passion about St. Joseph’s Hospital — a passion evident in recognizing that every patient is an individual with their own needs,” said Bill Sullivan, chairman, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital (Highland) board of directors. “A passion evident in knowing that family members also have needs that must be addressed. A passion that goes well beyond surveys and numbers. Our Franciscan heritage is one of compassionate care; a heritage that all HSHS hospitals live every day.”