MaineHealth Stephens Hospital Achieves Four-Star Rating by CMS

MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway, Maine, has achieved a four-star rating in the Overall Hospital Quality Rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This distinction places it among the top-performing hospitals in the United States in terms of quality, safety, and patient care.

The CMS Star Rating system evaluates hospitals nationwide based on standardized quality measures such as patient outcomes, safety practices, readmissions, mortality rates, patient experience, and access to treatment. The ratings range from one to five stars, offering a comparative metric for assessing hospital performance. A four-star rating signifies a performance level significantly higher than the national average.

Jeff Noblin, President of MaineHealth Stephens Hospital, acknowledged this honor, attributing it to the commitment and dedication of their care teams. According to Noblin, the rating underscores the hospital's achievements in patient safety and care outcomes, highlighting their collaborative and accountable culture.

Nationwide, approximately 70 percent of hospitals earned a three-star rating or higher, making the four-star rating received by MaineHealth Stephens Hospital especially noteworthy. This commendable rating is shared by three hospitals within the MaineHealth system. CMS regularly updates these ratings using publicly available data, serving as a valuable indicator of consistent healthcare quality.

Alison Newton, Manager of Quality and Safety at MaineHealth Stephens Hospital, emphasized the importance of a system-focused approach in achieving these results. She highlighted the use of data to inform evidence-based practices and foster an environment where staff can actively contribute to improving care safety.

Newton also recognized the contributions of various departments, noting that every team member plays a crucial role in this success. Despite this achievement, the hospital remains committed to ongoing improvement for the benefit of patients and the community.

All eight hospitals within the MaineHealth system met the standards for a CMS Star Rating. Alongside MaineHealth Stephens Hospital, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland and MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, NH, also earned four-star ratings. The remaining MaineHealth hospitals received three stars.

MaineHealth Stephens Hospital is a 25-bed critical access facility providing a range of healthcare services, including primary care, emergency services, surgical care, and rehabilitation to the western Maine communities. As part of the MaineHealth network, the hospital offers access to specialized services and coordinated care throughout Maine and New Hampshire.