Sarasota Memorial Hospital named one of nation’s highest rated hospitals

Medical center one of just 45 in U.S. to earn 5 stars from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in every period since rating program began in 2016

Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s main campus is near downtown Sarasota. Image courtesy Sarasota Memorial Hospital

As shown in the federal government’s release of new “report cards” for the nation’s hospitals, in late January, Sarasota Memorial is the only hospital in the region to receive the top, 5-star quality rating for overall performance, the hospital announced.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) is the only medical facility in Florida — and one of just 45 across the nation — to earn the highest possible rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in every reporting period since the program began in 2016, an SMH news release points out.

Of 4,586 U.S. hospitals evaluated, less than 9 percent earned the 5-star rating in the January update posted on CMS’ Hospital Compare website, the release notes. “As in previous years, most hospitals received two, three or four stars,” the release said.

CMS’ star ratings are based on performance across seven quality areas: mortality, safety, readmissions, patient experience, effectiveness of care, timeliness of care and efficient use of medical imaging, the release explains. “The first four areas have the greatest weight,” it adds.

“This remarkable achievement reflects the enduring commitment of physicians, staff and volunteers to meet the highest standards for quality and safety while providing the most personalized patient experience,” said CEO David Verinder in the release. “Maintaining our prestigious position as one of the highest rated hospitals in the nation requires the hard work of every area of the health system, the leadership of the Hospital Board and the support of our community.”

Below are the 2020 overall hospital star ratings for facilities in the Suncoast’s four-county region, the release notes:

  • 5 stars — Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
  • 4 stars — Doctors Hospital, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Englewood Community Hospital.
  • 3 stars — DeSoto Memorial.
  • 2 Stars — Venice Regional Medical Center and Fawcett Memorial Hospital.
  • 1 Star — Blake Medical Center, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bayfront Health Punta Gorda and Bayfront Health Port Charlotte.

For more details, visit www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare.