The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain. (Photo provided by the OGJVAMC)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center has earned a five-star rating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2025 hospital quality ratings.

CMS’s hospital ratings are based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care. A higher star rating, out of 5, indicates better performance on these quality measures, according to a OGJVAMC news release.

Within the past year, the center has instituted a number of improvements to better serve veterans. These include implementation of a stepped discharge process in Home Based Primary Care that led to reduced readmission rates; a partnership with the VA hospital in Madison, Wis., to provide comprehensive traumatic brain injury, or TBI, evaluations for veterans who screen positive; increased utilization of the Pain Management Clinical Resource Hub to lower wait times for veterans; and expanded telehealth services for rural veterans, further improving timely access to care.

“These ratings highlight the excellent care OGJVAMC provides,” said Dr. John P. Shealey, medical center director. “Our job is to continue raising the bar for customer service and convenience throughout the department, so OGJVAMC works better for the veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we are charged with serving.”

As part of CMS’s 2025 ratings, 77% of VA hospitals that received an Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating received 4 or 5 stars, and no VA hospitals received a one-star rating. More than 90% of VA hospitals with ratings maintained or improved their 2024 star rating.

To view the star ratings, go to https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/?providerType=Hospital. The methodology for the ratings can be seen at https://qualitynet.cms.gov/inpatient/public-reporting/overall-ratings/resources#tab1.

CMS first began including VA facilities in the annual Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings in 2023, according to a past Daily News story. The center received a five-star rating that year as well.