Six Austin-Area Hospitals Receive Prestigious 5-Star Rating

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal government agency known for its thorough assessments of healthcare institutions around the country, has recently announced its updated hospital ratings. Six medical facilities in the metropolitan area of Austin, Texas, have been awarded the highest possible accolade – a 5-star rating.

The Five-Star Recipients

The Austin-area hospitals that achieved this esteemed recognition are:

• Ascension Seton Northwest Medical Center
• Ascension Seton Hays Medical Center
• Ascension Seton Williamson Medical Center
• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Marble Falls
• St. David’s Medical Center
• St. David’s South Austin Medical Center

Criteria for CMS Star Ratings

The CMS bestows star ratings based on a variety of factors. These include patient mortality rates, patient satisfaction, hospital safety scores, readmission rates, and the timeliness and effectiveness of provided medical care. The ratings are updated every quarter, providing hospitals with regular feedback on their performance and areas where they can improve.

Other Austin-Area Hospitals and Ratings

Alongside the six 5-star hospitals, a number of other local medical institutions also received commendable ratings. The 4-star beneficial received hospitals include Ascension Seton Medical Center, St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, and Cedar Park Regional Medical Center. Receiving a three-star rating was the reputable Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas, and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Round Rock. However, not all hospitals were able to secure a rating due to insufficient information, including several Baylor Scott & White hospitals and several Ascension Seton locations.

Importance of CMS Ratings

The ratings provided by the CMS are incredibly crucial. Like the Olympics and their gold medals, this 5-star rating represents a pinnacle of success in healthcare. It offers an objective measure of the hospital’s quality and safety standards, thus aiding patients in making informed choices about their healthcare providers. These ratings are particularly beneficial as they cover different aspects of hospitals and their healthcare provision, giving a comprehensive overview of their performance.

Filling the Healthcare Workforce Gap

In response to a potential healthcare workforce crisis across the country, local educational institutions like Southwestern University have also stepped up their game. To address the possible shortage of physicians in the country, they have begun sending students into hospitals to provide real-world experience and help fill the gap in the workforce.

With the CMS star ratings shining a light on healthcare standards and universities fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals, we are seeing significant strides in the healthcare industry—despite the challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic.