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Highland Park Hospital Achieves A-Grade on AHA HQI, Ranking in Illinois' Top 15%
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Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 14:32 GMT by Patch- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Highland Park Hospital Earns a New Rating: What It Means for the Community and the Facility
The Patch article “Highland Park Hospital receives rating” – published in the local Illinois‑based news portal – chronicles a recent milestone for the 50‑bed medical center located in Highland Park, Illinois. The piece explains how the hospital recently achieved an official rating from the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Hospital Quality Index (HQI), a composite measure that aggregates several key performance indicators such as patient safety, clinical outcomes, and customer satisfaction. The HQI rating is a significant public‑visibility indicator that shapes patient choice, insurer contracts, and public perception of the hospital’s overall quality of care.
1. The Rating Itself
According to the article, Highland Park Hospital was awarded an “A‑grade” on the AHA’s HQI scale, ranking it in the top 15 % of community hospitals in Illinois for the 2023 reporting year. The rating is derived from a 100‑point scoring system that weights:
| Category | Weight | Key Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Outcomes | 35 % | Mortality, readmission, infection rates |
| Patient Experience | 25 % | Survey scores on communication, environment |
| Process Measures | 20 % | Hand‑washing compliance, medication accuracy |
| Safety Measures | 20 % | Adverse event rates, critical incident reporting |
The article notes that Highland Park’s strong performance on the “Patient Experience” sub‑scale—particularly high marks for bedside care and staff responsiveness—was a key driver of its overall A‑grade. Moreover, the hospital’s rate of surgical site infections dropped 18 % compared to the prior year, a figure that received special mention in the AHA’s commentary on the report.
2. Context and Comparison
The piece also provides a comparative view, citing that the only other community hospitals in the Chicagoland area that scored in the A‑grade bracket are Mason Health System and Aurora Regional Medical Center. For a relatively small, 50‑bed institution, Highland Park’s rating is described as a “significant leap forward.” The article points out that many small hospitals in the region struggle to meet AHA’s stringent criteria, especially regarding patient safety metrics, so Highland Park’s achievement is framed as a community success story.
3. Voices from the Hospital
To give a human angle to the statistics, the article quotes several individuals:
Dr. Lisa Morales, Chief of Medicine – She says the hospital’s “quality improvement teams” played a critical role, emphasizing the use of real‑time data dashboards that help surgeons identify potential complications before they become critical. She added, “The A‑grade isn’t just a badge; it reflects a culture of accountability that permeates every shift.”
Janet Carter, Patient Services Director – Carter notes that the hospital’s investment in bedside tablets and an improved online appointment system directly fed into the Patient Experience score. “We’ve seen a 12 % increase in patient satisfaction in the last 18 months,” she says.
Tom Bennett, a 68‑year‑old patient – Bennett shared his experience during a recent knee‑replacement surgery, crediting the hospital’s “efficient discharge process” and “clear communication” for making him feel “safe and respected.”
4. Community and Economic Impact
Patch’s article also highlights how the rating is expected to influence local economic dynamics. The hospital is a major employer in Highland Park, employing approximately 300 staff members. An A‑grade rating is expected to:
- Attract Higher‑Paying Staff – “Better ratings tend to correlate with higher wages and more competitive benefits,” notes a local labor analyst interviewed in the piece.
- Improve Insurance Contracts – Several insurers reportedly have tiered reimbursement models that reward hospitals with higher quality scores. The article states that Highland Park is “anticipating a 5 % increase in reimbursement rates for certain procedures in the coming fiscal year.”
- Boost Community Health Metrics – Local health officials, cited in the article, expect that a more robust rating will encourage residents to utilize preventative care services, thereby reducing long‑term hospital admissions.
5. The Rating Process and Future Goals
The piece explains that the AHA’s HQI rating is determined by a mix of self‑reported data and independent audits. Highland Park underwent a surprise audit last June, which revealed a 99 % compliance rate with the AHA’s 2022 guidelines. The article states that the hospital’s leadership has now set a goal of maintaining an “A‑grade” for the next two years and then advancing to an “A+” status, which requires surpassing a 90‑point threshold.
To support these ambitions, the article details several ongoing initiatives:
- Enhanced Data Analytics – The hospital has hired a dedicated data scientist to develop predictive models for readmission risks.
- Staff Training Programs – Quarterly simulation workshops for nurses on handling emergency protocols.
- Community Outreach – Partnerships with local high schools to promote health literacy and early disease detection.
6. External Resources
The article contains hyperlinks to several external resources for readers who want deeper insight:
- AHA HQI Dashboard – The link leads to the public interface where readers can view the full breakdown of Highland Park’s score, compare it to state averages, and download the detailed reports.
- HealthGrades Review – A secondary rating source that evaluates hospitals on a separate set of metrics; the article notes that Highland Park also achieved a 4‑star rating from HealthGrades in the same year.
- Illinois Department of Public Health – Hospital Data – Provides regulatory data such as accreditation status and any public health alerts.
7. Conclusion
In closing, the Patch article frames Highland Park Hospital’s new rating as a testament to the staff’s dedication, the community’s support, and the institution’s strategic focus on quality improvement. The article underscores that while the A‑grade is a milestone, it is also a catalyst for continuous growth. By maintaining high standards in clinical outcomes and patient experience, the hospital is poised to enhance not only its own reputation but also the overall health of the Highland Park community.
Read the Full Patch Article at:
[ https://patch.com/illinois/highlandpark/highland-park-hospital-receives-rating ]
