LEWISTOWN–Geisinger Lewistown Hospital has achieved a 4-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The hospital previously had a 3-Star rating.

Inpatient hospitals across the nation are required to submit specified quality and performance data to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services throughout the year. This data is then calculated to produce a single star rating for each hospital. The seven areas that are measured include mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, effectiveness of care, timeliness of care, and efficient use of medical imagining. Each area includes multiple sub-measures which are evaluated and provides the overall average for that area.

To celebrate, the leadership team delivered a customized treat to employees on Friday, Jan. 10. “This noteworthy accomplishment could not have been achieved without every one of our staff – our environmental service staff, physicians and clinic staff, hospital employees and administration – this effort was made possible by all of them,” said Kirk Thomas, chief administrative officer, Geisinger Western Region.

“This is a great achievement from a national standpoint. Geisinger Lewistown Hospital has been a 3-Star hospital for many years. In fact, the national average for hospitals is a 3-Star. The 5-Star journey began several years ago, and the efforts and commitment by the team is evident in the results. Our next goal is to become a 5-Star hospital to serve our communities more effectively.”

Star ratings are based on 5 Stars and assessed annually.