CommonSpirit exceeds CMS Star average 6th year in a row

CHICAGO – May 14, 2026  – CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation's largest nonprofit health systems, has exceeded the national average in the recently released Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2026 Hospital Star Ratings for the sixth consecutive year. 

In total, 56% of CommonSpirit hospitals earned 4 or 5-star ratings, up from 43% in 2025. In 2026, the national average of hospitals earning a 4 or 5-star rating was 42%; and in 2025, it was 37%.

“Achieving and maintaining excellence in safe, high-quality care is the highest priority at CommonSpirit," said Dr. Thomas McGinn, SEVP and chief physician executive officer at CommonSpirit. "We are immensely proud of and grateful for our dedicated caregivers for their consistent commitment to exceptional patient-centered care. Their relentless pursuit of quality is the cornerstone of our mission to not only meet, but exceed, the highest standards for healthier communities and the well-being of every individual we serve.”

The ratings, ranging from 1 to 5 stars, summarize a hospital's performance across 52 quality measures in five domains: Mortality, Safety of Care, Readmission, Patient Experience, and Timely and Effective Care; and are designed to help patients and families make informed healthcare decisions based on standardized quality measures.

CommonSpirit’s Commitment to Clinical Excellence

• 56% of eligible CommonSpirit hospitals earned a 4 or 5-star rating, compared to a national average of 42%.

• CommonSpirit Health's average star rating for 2026 is 3.62, significantly higher than the national hospital average of 3.20.

• Zero CommonSpirit hospitals received a one-star rating for the third consecutive year, and several  hospitals saw their ratings improve by two stars.

• 71% of eligible CommonSpirit hospitals surpassed national averages in preventing five key types of acquired infections. 

"These impressive CMS Star Ratings reflect CommonSpirit Health's unwavering dedication to providing high-quality, safe, and compassionate care to every patient we serve," said Dr. Phillip Chang, SVP, chief medical & quality officer at CommonSpirit. "While we are pleased with these results and our consistent upward trajectory, we know there is always room for improvement, and we are actively working to further enhance our patient outcomes and experiences."

The CMS Star ratings are just one measure of a comprehensive patient safety and quality program across CommonSpirit that prioritizes and scales best practices. CommonSpirit’s consistent, evidence-based approach to quality and safety has resulted in several recent accolades, including:

•  86% of eligible CommonSpirit hospitals received  an A or B grade in Leapfrog’s Spring 2026 Safety Grades

• The 2024 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for National Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality 

• The 2025 ATA Nexus Leadership Award for its Virtual Integrated Care model, revolutionizing telemedicine with innovation and impact.

• Finalist recognition for the American Hospital Association’s AHA Quest for Quality Prize, noting exceptional healthcare leadership and innovation in improving quality and advancing health in America’s communities.

• Over half of CommonSpirit’s full-service acute care hospitals were recognized among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Hospitals.