Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive hospital network, is pleased to announce that eight of its hospitals have received a rating of four stars or higher from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the agency's Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating program. This achievement underscores the network's commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered care.
Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack and Pascack Valley Medical Center, in Westwood, both earned a five-star rating, the highest possible distinction.
The CMS Star Ratings system is a crucial tool for consumers, offering a clear and simple way to compare hospitals and make informed healthcare decisions. Achieving a 4- or 5-star rating places a hospital in a top tier of performance nationwide. Historically, only a small percentage of hospitals across the country earn the prestigious 5-star rating, placing Hackensack University Medical Center and Pascack Valley Medical Center among an elite group. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Hackensack University Medical Center has achieved this top rating.
A high rating is a significant indicator of a hospital's quality and safety, reflecting excellence across five key areas: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. For patients, a 4- or 5-star rating signifies that a hospital has a proven track record of positive outcomes and a commitment to patient satisfaction. These ratings are based on dozens of quality measures, providing a comprehensive look at how well a hospital performs on aspects of care that are most important to patients.
High-performing Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals that earned 4 stars include:
- Bayshore Medical Center
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center
- Mountainside Medical Center
- Ocean University Medical Center
- Raritan Bay / Old Bridge Medical Center
- Southern Ocean Medical Center
“Hackensack Meridian Health is committed to providing the highest-quality, patient-centered care to the communities we serve,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. “I want to congratulate our incredible team members on the growing list of CMS highly-rated HMH hospitals. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our world-class physicians, nurses, and team members.”
CMS calculates its star ratings based on a variety of quality measures across five key areas: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Scores reflect common conditions, such as heart attack and pneumonia, and the overall rating indicates how each hospital performs compared to others across the country.
"For every patient we serve, these ratings are a symbol of our commitment to their well-being. Our relentless focus on quality and safety is designed to ensure that when you are in our care, you are in the best hands," said Jose Azar, M.D., executive vice president and chief quality officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. "I am proud of our teams for earning this recognition, but I am prouder of what it means for our patients. It is a clear promise of excellence that we strive to deliver to every patient and their family, every single day."