ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL Review
Get Information, Ratings, Surveys, and Compare ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL to other hospitals
Overall Hospital Rating: ; HCAPS approval: 70%
Database data as of January 31, 2024
A Review of the Data
Prepared by Richard Saunders as of January 31, 2024.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") distributes more than 80 tables of data on hospitals on a quarterly basis. That is a lot of information to pour through to try and build a comprehensive review of ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL. Luckily, we are here to help! I’ve put together this page to help you to get a better idea of what the hospital does, who is affiliated with it, share any patient survey data and much more. (If you want to jump to a specific section of the review, here are the section headers: General Hospital Data, Ratings, Cost Analysis, Infections, Comparison, Nearby Skilled Nursing Facilities, Doctors Associated with ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL, Survey Analysis.)
In the briefest summary, ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL is one of the types of hospitals called Acute Care Hospitals. It is in ATHENS, AL. Its five star rating is 4 . Its type of ownership is Government - Hospital District or Authority. The facility's Medicare ID is 10079. It does provide emergency services. There are 287 medical professionals and 86 doctor groups affiliated with the hospital. On average at ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL, emergency patients were charged $24,461. This is lower than the state average of $24,834. It is also lower than the national average of $25,828.
According to the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems ("HCAHPS") that ended in September 30, 2021, 70% of the patients surveyed definitely recommended ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL, while only 5% did not recommend going to ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL.
The information presented below is based on data provided by U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It is updated as new data is made available.
General Information for ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL
Address:
700 WEST MARKET STREET
ATHENS, AL
35611
(256) 233-9292
Click for Map
Medicare Provider Number:
10079
Type:
Acute Care Hospitals
Ownership:
Government - Hospital District or Authority
Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating for ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL
Overall Rating:
The Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating for ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL summarizes a variety of measures across 5 areas of quality into a single star rating for each hospital. Once reporting thresholds are met, a hospital’s Overall Star Rating is calculated using only those measures for which data are available. Hospitals report data to The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") through the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program, Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP), Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program, and Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. Overall Star Ratings aren’t calculated for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or Department of Defense (DoD) hospitals.
Most hospitals will have an Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating of 3.
National distribution of the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating The following table shows the national distribution of the Overall Star Rating based on July 2022 results.
Overall rating | Number of hospitals / Percentage |
---|---|
1 star | 198 (6.34%) |
2 stars | 702 (22.49%) |
3 stars | 895 (28.68%) |
4 stars | 895 (28.68%) |
5 stars | 431 (13.81%) |
N/A | 1,368 (30.47%) |
Additional detailed on the method for calculating the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating from this document.
Patient Survey Results
Below is information compiled by CMS on the percentage of patients who respond to specific treatments and a comparison of the results for ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL to the national results for similar facilities.
Survey Question | Response |
---|---|
Patients who reported that their nurses "Always" communicated well | 83 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Sometimes" or "Never" communicated well | 4 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Usually" communicated well | 13 % |
Nurse communication - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Nurse communication - star rating | Not Applicable |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Always" treated them with courtesy and respect | 87 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Sometimes" or "Never" treated them with courtesy and respect | 2 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Usually" treated them with courtesy and respect | 11 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Always" listened carefully to them | 81 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Sometimes" or "Never" listened carefully to them | 4 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Usually" listened carefully to them | 15 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Always" explained things in a way they could understand | 79 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Sometimes" or "Never" explained things in a way they could understand | 4 % |
Patients who reported that their nurses "Usually" explained things in a way they could understand | 17 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Always" communicated well | 82 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Sometimes" or "Never" communicated well | 4 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Usually" communicated well | 14 % |
Doctor communication - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Doctor communication - star rating | Not Applicable |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Always" treated them with courtesy and respect | 88 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Sometimes" or "Never" treated them with courtesy and respect | 3 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Usually" treated them with courtesy and respect | 9 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Always" listened carefully to them | 80 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Sometimes" or "Never" listened carefully to them | 5 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Usually" listened carefully to them | 15 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Always" explained things in a way they could understand | 79 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Sometimes" or "Never" explained things in a way they could understand | 5 % |
Patients who reported that their doctors "Usually" explained things in a way they could understand | 16 % |
Patients who reported that they "Always" received help as soon as they wanted | 69 % |
Patients who reported that they "Sometimes" or "Never" received help as soon as they wanted | 7 % |
Patients who reported that they "Usually" received help as soon as they wanted | 24 % |
Staff responsiveness - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Staff responsiveness - star rating | Not Applicable |
Patients who reported that they "Always" received help after using the call button as soon as they wanted | 64 % |
Patients who reported that they "Sometimes" or "Never" received help after using the call button as soon as they wanted | 6 % |
Patients who reported that they "Usually" received help after using the call button as soon as they wanted | 30 % |
Patients who reported that they "Always" received bathroom help as soon as they wanted | 75 % |
Patients who reported that they "Sometimes" or "Never" received bathroom help as soon as they wanted | 8 % |
Patients who reported that they "Usually" received bathroom help as soon as they wanted | 17 % |
Patients who reported that staff "Always" explained about medicines before giving it to them | 64 % |
Patients who reported that staff "Sometimes" or "Never" explained about medicines before giving it to them | 19 % |
Patients who reported that staff "Usually" explained about medicines before giving it to them | 17 % |
Communication about medicines - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Communication about medicines - star rating | Not Applicable |
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Always" communicated what the medication was for | 79 % |
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Sometimes" or "Never" communicated what the medication was for | 7 % |
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Usually" communicated what the medication was for. | 14 % |
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Always" discussed possible side effects | 49 % |
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Sometimes" or "Never" discussed possible side effects | 31 % |
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Usually" discussed possible side effects | 20 % |
Patients who reported that NO, they were not given information about what to do during their recovery at home | 12 % |
Patients who reported that YES, they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home | 88 % |
Discharge information - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Discharge information - star rating | Not Applicable |
Patients who reported that NO, they did not discuss whether they would need help after discharge | 12 % |
Patients who reported that YES, they did discuss whether they would need help after discharge | 88 % |
Patients who reported that NO, they did not receive written information about possible symptoms to look out for after discharge | 12 % |
Patients who reported that YES, they did receive written information about possible symptoms to look out for after discharge | 88 % |
Patients who "Agree" they understood their care when they left the hospital | 45 % |
Patients who "Disagree" or "Strongly Disagree" they understood their care when they left the hospital | 4 % |
Patients who "Strongly Agree" they understood their care when they left the hospital | 51 % |
Care transition - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Care transition - star rating | Not Applicable |
Patients who "Agree" that the staff took my preferences into account when determining my health care needs | 49 % |
Patients who "Disagree" or "Strongly Disagree" that the staff took my preferences into account when determining my health care needs | 5 % |
Patients who "Strongly Agree" that the staff took my preferences into account when determining my health care needs | 46 % |
Patients who "Agree" that they understood their responsiblities in managing their health | 48 % |
Patients who "Disagree" or "Strongly Disagree" that they understood their responsiblities in managing their health | 3 % |
Patients who "Strongly Agree" that they understood their responsiblities in managing their health | 49 % |
Patients who "Agree" that they understood the purposes of their medications when leaving the hospital | 38 % |
Patients who "Disagree" or "Strongly Disagree" that they understood the purposes of their medications when leaving the hospital | 3 % |
Patients who "Strongly Agree" that they understood the purposes of their medications when leaving the hospital | 59 % |
Patients who reported that their room and bathroom were "Always" clean | 66 % |
Patients who reported that their room and bathroom were "Sometimes" or "Never" clean | 11 % |
Patients who reported that their room and bathroom were "Usually" clean | 23 % |
Cleanliness - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Cleanliness - star rating | Not Applicable |
Patients who reported that the area around their room was "Always" quiet at night | 71 % |
Patients who reported that the area around their room was "Sometimes" or "Never" quiet at night | 5 % |
Patients who reported that the area around their room was "Usually" quiet at night | 24 % |
Quietness - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Quietness - star rating | Not Applicable |
Patients who gave their hospital a rating of 6 or lower on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest) | 7 % |
Patients who gave their hospital a rating of 7 or 8 on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest) | 21 % |
Patients who gave their hospital a rating of 9 or 10 on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest) | 72 % |
Overall hospital rating - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Overall hospital rating - star rating | Not Applicable |
Patients who reported NO, they would probably not or definitely not recommend the hospital | 5 % |
Patients who reported YES, they would definitely recommend the hospital | 70 % |
Patients who reported YES, they would probably recommend the hospital | 25 % |
Recommend hospital - linear mean score | Not Applicable |
Recommend hospital - star rating | Not Applicable |
Summary star rating | Not Applicable |
Cost of ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL, Compare to National and State Averages
Understanding how much a hospital is going to cost is extremely difficult. Hospitals themselves actively obscure what they charge and have negotiated different rates with different insurers. Then you have the problem of the wide variety of treatments which the ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL provides.
To provide some standard metric to compare hospital costs, CMS publishes the MSPB (or "Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary"). Even though you may not be on Medicare, this metric may still be useful. The MSPB is expressed as a percentage compared to the national average for costs that Medicare incurs. A percentage higher than 100% means the hospital charges more than the national average while a percentage less than 100% means the hospital charges less than the national average.
MSPB for ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL: Not Available
Detailed table for spending and period for patients at ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL:
Type | Amount |
---|---|
Home Health Agency (1 to 3 days Prior to Index Hospital Admission) | $16 |
Hospice (1 to 3 days Prior to Index Hospital Admission) | $1 |
Inpatient (1 to 3 days Prior to Index Hospital Admission) | $49 |
Outpatient (1 to 3 days Prior to Index Hospital Admission) | $20 |
Skilled Nursing Facility (1 to 3 days Prior to Index Hospital Admission) | $23 |
Durable Medical Equipment (1 to 3 days Prior to Index Hospital Admission) | $13 |
Carrier (1 to 3 days Prior to Index Hospital Admission) | $686 |
Home Health Agency (During Index Hospital Admission) | $0 |
Hospice (During Index Hospital Admission) | $0 |
Inpatient (During Index Hospital Admission) | $10,611 |
Outpatient (During Index Hospital Admission) | $0 |
Skilled Nursing Facility (During Index Hospital Admission) | $0 |
Durable Medical Equipment (During Index Hospital Admission) | $40 |
Carrier (During Index Hospital Admission) | $1,253 |
Home Health Agency (1 through 30 days After Discharge from Index Hospital Admission) | $887 |
Hospice (1 through 30 days After Discharge from Index Hospital Admission) | $347 |
Inpatient (1 through 30 days After Discharge from Index Hospital Admission) | $3,505 |
Outpatient (1 through 30 days After Discharge from Index Hospital Admission) | $493 |
Skilled Nursing Facility (1 through 30 days After Discharge from Index Hospital Admission) | $4,998 |
Durable Medical Equipment (1 through 30 days After Discharge from Index Hospital Admission) | $174 |
Carrier (1 through 30 days After Discharge from Index Hospital Admission) | $1,347 |
Total (Complete Episode) | $24,461 |
Infection Rates at ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL
These measures show how often patients at ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL contract certain infections during the course of their medical treatment, when compared to other hospitals nationally.
Infection Type | Score / Compare to National Average |
---|---|
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Lower Confidence Limit | Not Available / Not Available |
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Upper Confidence Limit | Not Available / Not Available |
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection: Number of Device Days | 1,122.00 / Not Available |
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Predicted Cases | 0.68 / Not Available |
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Observed Cases | 0.00 / Not Available |
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards) | Not Available / Not Available |
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Lower Confidence Limit | 0.36 / Same |
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Upper Confidence Limit | 3.84 / Same |
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Number of Urinary Catheter Days | 4,009.00 / Same |
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Predicted Cases | 2.13 / Same |
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Observed Cases | 3.00 / Same |
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards) | 1.41 / Same |
SSI - Colon Surgery: Lower Confidence Limit | -- / Same |
SSI - Colon Surgery: Upper Confidence Limit | 2.77 / Same |
SSI - Colon Surgery: Number of Procedures | 39.00 / Same |
SSI - Colon Surgery: Predicted Cases | 1.08 / Same |
SSI - Colon Surgery: Observed Cases | 0.00 / Same |
SSI - Colon Surgery | 0.00 / Same |
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Lower Confidence Limit | Not Available / Not Available |
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Upper Confidence Limit | Not Available / Not Available |
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Number of Procedures | 24.00 / Not Available |
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Predicted Cases | 0.25 / Not Available |
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Observed Cases | 0.00 / Not Available |
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy | Not Available / Not Available |
MRSA Bacteremia: Lower Confidence Limit | -- / Same |
MRSA Bacteremia: Upper Confidence Limit | 2.63 / Same |
MRSA Bacteremia: Patient Days | 15,742.00 / Same |
MRSA Bacteremia: Predicted Cases | 1.14 / Same |
MRSA Bacteremia: Observed Cases | 0.00 / Same |
MRSA Bacteremia | 0.00 / Same |
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Lower Confidence Limit | 0.06 / Same |
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Upper Confidence Limit | 1.13 / Same |
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Patient Days | 14,948.00 / Same |
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Predicted Cases | 5.84 / Same |
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Observed Cases | 2.00 / Same |
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff) | 0.34 / Same |
How ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL Compares to Other Similar Facilities
This is how ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL compares to other similar hospitals nationally based on data provided to CMS.
Percentages of Complications and Deaths at ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL
Measure | Score | Compared to National Rates |
---|---|---|
Rate of complications for hip/knee replacement patients | 2.9% | SAME |
Death rate for heart attack patients | NA | Not Enough Data |
Death rate for CABG surgery patients | NA | Not Enough Data |
Death rate for COPD patients | 8.9% | SAME |
Death rate for heart failure patients | 10.6% | SAME |
Death rate for pneumonia patients | 18.8% | SAME |
Death rate for stroke patients | 20.3% | Worse |
Pressure ulcer rate | 1.02% | SAME |
Death rate among surgical inpatients with serious treatable complications | NA | Not Enough Data |
Iatrogenic pneumothorax rate | 0.31% | SAME |
In-hospital fall with hip fracture rate | 0.09% | SAME |
Postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma rate | 2.3% | SAME |
Postoperative acute kidney injury requiring dialysis rate | 1.44% | SAME |
Postoperative respiratory failure rate | 8.23% | SAME |
Perioperative pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis rate | 4% | SAME |
Postoperative sepsis rate | 4.34% | SAME |
Postoperative wound dehiscence rate | 1.92% | SAME |
Abdominopelvic accidental puncture or laceration rate | 0.98% | SAME |
CMS Medicare PSI 90: Patient safety and adverse events composite | 1.07% | SAME |
Skilled Nursing Facilities Near ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL
Many hospital patients are not ready to return home after a hospital visit. If recovery is going to be protracted, doctors will often advise that the patients recuperate at a skilled nursing facility. Below is a list of the skilled nursing homes near ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL ranked by their CMS 5-Star Overall Rating.
Medical Groups Affiliated with ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL
There are 287 doctors and 86 medical groups that are affiliated with ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL.
Affiliated Doctor Groups
- HH HEART CENTER LLC
- ALH HOSPITALIST
- RADIOLOGY OF HUNTSVILLE PC
- DECATUR MORGAN HOSPITALIST GROUP
- HUNTSVILLE RENAL CLINIC, PC
- VALLEY OBSTETRICS AND WOMENS PELVIC HEALTH CENTER
- METRO INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONSULTANTS LLC
- ELKMONT COMMUNITY CARE
- VALLEY INTERNAL MEDICINE
- CLEARVIEW DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING, LLC
- LIMESTONE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES
- BETTER WEIGHS TO BETTER HEALTH LLC
- LIMESTONE ANESTHESIA ASSOCIATES PC
- SHOALS RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATES PC
- ATHENS AND LIMESTONE COUNTY HEALTHCARE AUTHORITY
- HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL ANESTHESIA
- MADISON PRIMARY CARE LLC
- CRESTWOOD PHYSICIAN SERVICES, LLC
- HH HEALTH SYSTEM - THE ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER LLC
- THE ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER
- PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, P.C.
- MCMD LLC
- CLINIC FOR COLON AND RECTAL SURGERY, P.A.
- CAPSHAW FAMILY CARE
- NEPHROLOGY CONSULTANTS LLC
- MEDICAL EAST OF DECATUR INC
- FAMILY MEDICINE ASSOCIATES, PC
- RHEUMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF NORTH ALABAMA, PC
- ATHENS LIMESTONE PAIN CENTER
- ATHENS COMMUNITY CARE
- ST FRANCIS PHYSICIAN PRACTICES LLC
- CAL CARE OF AL, LLC
- SPORTSMED ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALISTS
- AMG-HILLSIDE LLC
- WADDELL CENTER FAMILY MEDICINE
- ATHENS-LIMESTONE ER PHYSICIANS
- NORTH ALABAMA VASCULAR AND DIALYSIS ACCESS CARE LLC
- NEW LEAF MEDICAL CLINIC, LLC
- HH PHYSICIANS NETWORK
- LIMESTONE UROLOGY ASSOCIATES
- HH PHYSICIAN CARE-ELKTON TENNESSEE
- NORTHWEST EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN GROUP
- ONCOLOGY SPECIALTIES, P.C.
- VIRTUAL RADIOLOGIC PROFESSIONALS OF CALIFORNIA PA
- ANNISTON CAREPLUS, LLC
- CAREPLUS FAMILY MEDICAL LLC
- THE CENTER FOR COLON AND DIGESTIVE DISEASE P C
- NORTH ALABAMA SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
- ERX-BAMA, LLC
- ADVANTAGE FAMILY CARE INC
- MED PLUS INC
- LAKELAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, INC
- MMI BREAST CENTER, PC
- ALLEGHENY CLINIC
- ATHENS INTERNAL MEDICINE AND NEPHROLOGY
- HH PHYSICIAN CARE
- ERNEST L HENDRIX MD PC
- VALLEY EAR NOSE AND THROAT ASSOCIATES PC
- CLINIC FOR NEUROLOGY, PA
- BELINDA MAPLES M.D., P.C.
- MENTAL HEALTH CENTER OF NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA INC.
- DOCTOR-PATIENT MEDICINE INC
- ZAHEER A KHAN MD PC
- NORTH ALABAMA PRIMARY CARE,PC
- ATHENS LIMESTONE HEALTH SERVICES
- RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF OXFORD - PA
- MASDON ENT AND FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY, LLC
- ROGERSVILLE FAMILY CARE
- CENTER FOR CANCER CARE, PC
- ATTENTUS MOULTON, LLC
- ANESTHESIOLOGY GROUP ASSOCIATES PC
- PULMONARY AND SLEEP ASSOCIATES
- KEITH VAN METER AND ASSOCIATES
- NEUROLOGY CONSULTANTS OF HUNTSVILLE PC
- UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION, PC
- MITCHELL INTERNAL MEDICINE CLINIC
- ECM HEALTH GROUP LLC
- HIGHLANDS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
- HIGHLANDS HOSPITALISTS SERVICES LLC
- RCHP - FLORENCE LLC
- ECM TVCC LLC
- HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL SPINE AND NEURO CENTER
- CULLMAN REGIONAL ANESTHESIA SERVICES LLC
- EMPOWER2, LLC
- CENTRAL NORTH ALABAMA HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
- NORTH ALABAMA UROLOGY, PC
The list of medical professionals associated with ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL is very long, so we have added another pages. See a list of medical professionals associated with ATHENS LIMESTONE HOSPITAL.