Columbia VA Health Care System Achieves 5-Star Rating in CMS Quality Evaluation
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a groundbreaking achievement, the Columbia VA Health Care System has received a highly coveted 5 of 5 Stars rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This recognition marks the first time that VA facilities have been included in CMS’s annual Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings.
The CMS assesses hospitals based on five key categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Each hospital is awarded a quality rating out of five stars, with a higher rating reflecting superior performance on the available quality measures.
Impressively, 67% of VA hospitals featured in the CMS annual Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings received either a 4 or 5-star rating, compared to just 41% of non-VA hospitals. These findings are part of a growing body of evidence highlighting the effectiveness of VA healthcare compared to non-VA healthcare. VA hospitals outperformed non-VA hospitals on all 10 core patient satisfaction metrics in the recent Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Star Ratings. Furthermore, a systematic review of over 40 peer-reviewed studies concluded that VA healthcare consistently matches or surpasses non-VA healthcare.
John Merkle, the acting director of CVAHCS, expressed his pride in achieving this prestigious five-star designation, a distinction attained by only a small percentage of hospitals across the nation. He emphasized that delivering exceptional patient care requires unwavering focus and a comprehensive approach to patient satisfaction. Merkle commended the dedicated employees and volunteers who consistently deliver this high level of quality care to the respected veterans they serve.
VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal reaffirmed the commitment to providing the best possible care for every veteran. While acknowledging the significance of the findings, he acknowledged that continuous improvement remains a priority. The results will be studied, learned from, and utilized to ensure that world-class care is consistently delivered to veterans in need.
For additional information, please reach out to Tammy Finney at tammy.finney@va.gov or via phone at 803-776-4000, ext 57260. Alternatively, you can visit https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/contact-us/.
The Columbia VA Health Care System’s achievement of a 5-star rating in CMS’s Quality Evaluation showcases its commitment to excellence in providing healthcare to veterans. This recognition highlights the dedication of its staff and volunteers in delivering exceptional patient care. With this milestone, the Columbia VA Health Care System further solidifies its position as a leading institution in delivering high-quality healthcare services to veterans in South Carolina.
