NORTHERN ARIZONA VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT RECEIVED A 5-STAR RATING FROM THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS). THIS IS THE FIRST TIME CMS HAS INCLUDED VA FACILITIES IN THEIR ANNUAL OVERALL HOSPITAL QUALITY STAR RATINGS.

THE CMS USES 5 CATEGORIES – MORTALITY, SAFETY OF CARE, RE-ADMISSION, PATIENT EXPERIENCE, AND TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE CARE – TO AWARD A QUALITY RATING FOR EACH HOSPITAL. THE MORE STARS OUT OF 5, THE BETTER A HOSPITAL PERFORMED ON THE AVAILABLE QUALITY MEASURES.

OVERALL, 67% OF VA HOSPITALS INCLUDED IN THE CMS ANNUAL OVERALL HOSPITAL QUALITY STAR RATINGS RECEIVED EITHER 4 OR 5 STARS, COMPARED TO ONLY 41% OF NON-VA HOSPITALS. THESE FINDINGS ARE THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF RECENT EVALUATIONS SHOWING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VA HEALTH CARE COMPARED TO NON-VA HEALTH CARE.