By Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Hospital Compare, the consumer quality rating service of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has awarded Willis-Knighton five stars, its highest rating. Ratings on this CMS website are updated twice a year, allowing the public to research information on key quality issues to help them make informed decisions about their healthcare.

Willis-Knighton is the only major hospital in Louisiana to receive this rating. The other four recipients, all in south Louisiana, are small or specialty hospitals.

“This rating reflects the diligent work of our employees and our physicians who are dedicated to continuously improving patient care and quality,” said James K. Elrod, president and CEO of Willis-Knighton Health System. “While we are proud of this accomplishment and the positive recognition it brings our health system and our community, we are most proud of being able to deliver this kind of quality care to our patients.”

CMS rates more than 4,000 hospitals across the nation and review performance information related to heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgery and other serious conditions.

Data is compared using Medicare provider numbers. All Shreveport locations of Willis-Knighton (North, South and Pierremont) report under the Willis-Knighton Medical Center provider number (the five-star rating), while the Bossier location (four-star rating) has reported under a separate number. Recently, Bossier’s number recently was combined to offer a systemwide profile for Willis-Knighton since all Willis-Knighton hospitals follow the same protocols and policies.

Willis-Knighton is a not-for-profit healthcare organization that provides the broadest range of healthcare services in our region.