(Springfield, Georgia) June 18, 2019— For the second year in a row, Effingham Health System has been named a “Top Hospital in Georgia.” This important recognition is from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the government agencies that make it possible for millions of Americans to receive healthcare. Once again, Effingham Health System received the Center’s only four-star rating in the Greater Savannah Area, including Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Bulloch, and Liberty counties in Georgia, and Beaufort County, South Carolina.
“We were excited to receive this recognition for 2017 but receiving it for the second year (2018) in a row is even more important, because it shows consistency in the quality of care and patient outcomes we are delivering to our patients.” explains Fran Baker-Witt, Effingham Health System CEO.
She continues saying, “I appreciate the support I receive from our Board of Directors, the commitment of our leadership team, and the work of every one of our employees, as we focus on transforming healthcare for our community.”
Mrs. Baker-Witt explains that direct comparison with other hospitals is difficult, since hospitals vary in size and types of service. Most importantly, she says, is that this reward is a reflection of the consistancy of care that patients receive at Effingham Health System.
Hospital Compare is an online service (medicare.gov/hospitalcompare) that assists patients in making decisions about where they can receive health care. It also encourages hospitals to improve the quality of care they provide.
The CMS rating is based on multiple measurements for patient safety, clinical care, communication, patient engagement, and fiscal efficiencies. Insight on the patient experience is gathered through extensive patient surveys.
CMS publishes ratings for over 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals across the country. CMS Hospital Compare updates its ratings every six months. The next update will be in June of 2018.
“This is great news,” exclaims Mrs. Baker-Witt. “Not just for our hospital staff, but for our community! Most importantly, it confirms that the growth and quality of our healthcare system align with the fast-paced growth of our community. This honor is acknowledgment that we are providing the best possible care—close to home.”
