NorthShore ranks at top of quality program

EVANSTON - Northshore University HealthSystem received 5 stars, the highest possible rating, in updated quality rankings posted by the government as part of its consumer-oriented Hospital Compare program.

The ratings are based on 53 quality measures on Hospital Compare and are designed to help consumers make informed decisions about their health care. More than 4,000 hospitals are assessed and the national average is 3 stars.

Hospitals were rated in seven categories: mortality, readmission, safety of care, patient experience, efficient use of medical imaging, timeliness of care and effectiveness of care. Data from all four Northshore hospitals (Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie) factor into the ratings, which can accessed here.

Among the main categories, Northshore scored above the national average in mortality, safety of care, patient experience and efficient use of medical imaging. The assessment specifically recognized Northshore for improvement in patient satisfaction surveys (or HCAHPS, the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) and reduced rates of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) cases.

"We are extremely proud to be recognized for the high quality of care we provide at Northshore and the great emphasis we place on patient safety and experience," said Lakshmi Halasyamani, MD, Chief Quality & Transformation Officer. "It's a testament to the dedication and hard work of Northshore staff throughout the system."

Hospital Compare was created by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to help patients and their families learn about the quality of hospitals, compare facilities in their area side-by-side, and ask important questions about care quality. The overall rating summarizes dozens of quality measures and shows how well each hospital performed, on average, compared to other hospitals in the U.S.