Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Receives 5 Stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

DeKalb, IL – Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital has been rated a 5-star institution by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the first time. Only 10 percent of hospitals nationwide earned the top rating.

The overall rating, between 1 and 5 stars, is based on individual hospital performance in five categories, including safety of care, patient experience, readmission, mortality, and timely and effective care. The ratings are designed to assist patients make decision on where to receive non-emergency, hospital-based care, like scheduled surgeries and procedures.

“We are constantly striving to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of the care we provide to patients, their families and the communities we serve,” said Maura O’Toole, president of Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital. “This recognition is evidence of our progress toward this goal. Great care depends on partnership among all members of the care team.”

Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital was also recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as “High Performing” in three procedures and conditions in its annual Best Hospitals rankings. Kishwaukee Hospital earned the highest designation for treatment of heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia.

Access to comprehensive, quality health care services is important for promoting and maintaining health, preventing and managing disease, reducing unnecessary disability and premature death, and achieving health equity for the communities served.

“When minutes count, hospitals in local communities can and do save lives,” says Tricia Elliott, director of quality and patient safety for Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital. “Hospitals like Kishwaukee have the opportunity to identify the unique needs of the local community and use this knowledge to design and implement improvement programs to deliver better care for the patients we serve.”

CMS Care Compare is a database featuring publicly reported Quality Payment Program (QPP) performance information for doctors, clinicians, groups, and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). CMS developed the program to help consumers make more informed decisions by giving them a way to compare hospitals based on quality ratings.

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org.