Illini Community Hospital earns national 4-star rating from National Rural Rating System

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Illini Community Hospital recently earned a four-star rating from the National Rural Rating System (NRRS), a program recognizing excellence in rural healthcare.

The NRRS was created by several organizations, including the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network and the Wyoming and New Mexico Departments of Health. The NRRS Star Ratings are similar to the star rating system used by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

However, most small and rural hospitals do not qualify for participation in the CMS star rating program because of small numbers of qualifying inpatients, yet those hospitals are held to the same high patient satisfaction criteria as hospitals that are allowed to participate in the CMS star rating program. The NRRS created its star rating program to recognize the effort and dedication rural and critical access hospitals provide across the country.

The NRRS evaluates hospitals based on patient satisfaction, quality of care and overall hospital performance. The rankings are based on data collected by certified CMS patient satisfaction vendors.

The four-star rating highlights the hospital’s success in providing exceptional medical services, despite the challenges often faced by rural healthcare facilities.

In a press release, Jennifer Mowen, administrative director of ancillary and support services at Illini Community Hospital, said, “Illini’s staff is dedicated to providing the highest quality personal care experience to our patients close to home. We pride ourselves on treating patients like family and neighbors. Our staff is very responsive to our patients which results in excellent quality care. This achievement is a direct reflection of their efforts.”

“This award is a testament to Illini’s unwavering commitment, dedication, expertise and compassionate care provided to the community every day,” NRRS Chairman Bruce Lee said. “In a rural setting, where healthcare challenges are unique and often complex, achieving this level of excellence signifies not just clinical capabilities, but also a deep connection to the community. This recognition reaffirms rural healthcare to be a beacon of health, hope and healing.”

Illini Community Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital.