Sarasota hospital only one in Florida to receive continuous 5-star ratings since rating program began in 2016
On July 26, the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System announced that its flagship Sarasota hospital “was awarded a prestigious 5-star rating from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services” (CMS) for the eighth year in a row.
Of the more than 5,400 U.S. hospitals CMS evaluated, less than 10% received the 5-star designation, the release notes.
“Sarasota Memorial is one of 11 hospitals in Florida to earn a 5-star designation this year, and the only hospital in Florida to receive continuous 5-star ratings since CMS began the rating program in 2016,” the release points out. “Star ratings are based on hospital quality indicators across five categories, the release explains: safety of care, readmissions, patient experience, mortality outcomes and timely and effective care.”
David Verinder, CEO of the health care system, noted in the release that the Sarasota hospital’s “exemplary record sets a strong benchmark” for the state.
“We are proud to set the standard for high-quality patient care in our community and in [Florida],” Verinder said in the release. “We will continue to build this culture of excellence by investing in top clinicians, advanced technologies and leading-edge facilities.”
“Lorrie Liang, president of the SMH-Sarasota campus, expressed gratitude to physicians and staff for their enduring commitment to quality and safety,” the release continues.
“Every day our doctors, nurses, and support staff go above and beyond to ensure our patients receive exceptional care,” she said. “The rankings and awards our health system receives speak volumes about how much our staff cares for our patients and creating a health system everyone in our community can be proud of.”
SMH-Venice, which opened in late 2021, is not yet eligible for a star rating, the release points out. “Typically, CMS reviews up to three years of quality data before issuing a star rating,” the release explains.
For more information about the 2023 CMS Star Ratings, visit medicare.gov/care-compare.