LincolnHealth was recently recognized by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and Becker’s Hospital Review for its excellence in inpatient care and clinical outcomes.

LincolnHealth scored the highest rating (five stars) on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) for patient experience. Becker’s noted LincolnHealth as one of 10 hospitals in Maine with the highest rate of patients who would recommend the hospital to prospective patients.

HCAHPS is a national, standardized survey of hospital patients about their experiences during a recent inpatient hospital stay. Topics include nurse communication, doctor communication, responsiveness of hospital staff, communication about medicines, discharge information and care transition. The hospital’s cleanliness, quietness of the environment and the willingness for patients to recommend the hospital also factor into the star rating. 

“One of our core values is being patient-centered,’’ said Cindy Wade, RN, MHA, LincolnHealth’s president. “Our nurses, providers and so many others live this value each day, and together, they have created a culture where patients comes first. 

“We are constantly working on improving the patient experience, and these honors are reflective of our efforts,” Wade said. 

Only four hospitals in Maine earned five-star ratings. Along with LincolnHealth, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland, Maine General Medical Center and the Togus VA Medical Center claimed top ratings. 

Across the nation, 381 hospitals achieved five-star distinction. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shares its star ratings on the Medicare website, www.medicare.gov/care-compare.