According to recently released data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS),EvergreenHealth is just one of two Puget Sound-area health care systems to avoid paying a federal penalty thanks to its success in reducing 30-day hospital readmission rates among Medicare patients. This is the fourth consecutive year the Kirkland-based system has been granted an exemption from the fine.

The Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) was launched in 2010 by CMS to improve the quality of care for Medicare patients by incentivizing hospitals to reduce readmissions within 30 days of a hospital stay. Under the program, hospitals that report high readmission rates are subject to penalties of up to 3 percent of expected reimbursements from Medicare patients throughout the following year.

“To be the only Washington hospital to earn this achievement four years in a row reflects EvergreenHealth’s patient-focused philosophy of care, which puts quality care, safety and exemplary service at the center of all we do,” said EvergreenHealth CEO Bob Malte. “Our care is not complete when patients leave our hospital, and this accomplishment demonstrates the collaboration across our system to ensure patients recover fully, and receive the most satisfying care at the best value.”

Though readmission rates have decreased nationally since CMS implemented the reduction program, hospitals across the country stand to lose $420 million in Medicare reimbursements this year based on their performance.

Along with reducing hospital readmissions, EvergreenHealth has also successfully maintained low rates for hospital-acquired conditions (HAC). Under the Hospital Acquired Conditions Reduction Program, EvergreenHealth again will not be required to pay penalties thanks to its prevention of common conditions and infections that can result from medical procedures during a hospital stay.

Instead, the organization is slated to receive a $167,000 bonus from CMS under the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program for its performance across several safety and quality care measures, while other lower-performing hospitals will be subject to additional fines of up to $500,000.

“Much of our success in these areas is attributed to initiatives across our system designed to help patients navigate their care. Our care managers and providers work one-on-one with patients to remove any potential barriers to achieve the best outcomes, ensuring patients receive the follow-up care, referrals, education and coordinated treatment they need to recover,” Malte said.

More information about EvergreenHealth’s commitment to quality and safety is available atwww.evergreenhealth.com or by calling is 24/7 Nurse Navigator & Healthline at (425) 899-3000.