Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) has received the highest achievement possible from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). LRH was one of just 10 Minnesota hospitals, and the only independent facility in Minnesota, recognized with the CMS five-star hospital distinction for 2024.  Located in Fergus Falls, the hospital serves the community with acute inpatient and emergency services.  

CMS assigns star ratings to hospitals nationwide annually based on their performance on 46 quality measures that are divided into five quality categories:  safety of care, mortality, patient experience, readmission rates, and timely and effective care. 

CMS developed its ‘Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings’ program to help consumers make informed health care decisions by giving them a way to compare hospitals based on quality ratings. Hospitals receive between one and five stars, with five stars being the highest rating. Only 381 hospitals nationwide received the five-star Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating for 2024, which according to Becker’s Review is 102 fewer than in 2023. 

“This is a testament to the consistent, quality care that our team is dedicated to delivering every day,” said Kent Mattson, LRH CEO. “Safe and compassionate care for patients and their families is always our highest priority. Ranking among the top 8 percent of 4,600 hospitals reviewed for these quality measures is a data-based validation of this core value and our excellent staff.”