POTSDAM – Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley has been recognized as a five-star organization, solidifying its reputation among the top hospices in the nation, a press release from the organization said.

"This recognition underscores our team's unwavering commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care, with a meticulous focus on detail and continuous quality improvement. It's a testament to the trust and positive experiences of our patients and their families,” said Executive Director Ruth Fishbeck.

Highlighting the exclusivity of this accomplishment, Fishbeck noted that only 10% of hospices, both nationally and within New York state, have achieved the prestigious five-star status.

Out of 2,026 hospices across the United States, 195 have received this distinguished rating, determined through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Hospice Survey (CAHPS).

In each individual category evaluated by the CAHPS Hospice Survey, Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley received a five-star rating.

"Our commitment to effective communication with families, providing timely assistance, treating patients with respect, offering emotional and spiritual support, managing pain and symptoms, family training, and achieving an overall positive hospice rating showcases our dedication to excellence,” Fishbeck said.

"As Board President, I am immensely proud of the collective effort that has led to this prestigious five-star rating. It reflects our commitment to not only meet but exceed the expectations of our community. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication of our staff and the exceptional care provided to our patients,” said Hospice Board President Laura Cordts.

Fishbeck emphasized the significance of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) validation with the prestigious 5-star rating.

“To have CMS recognize and commend our team based on the firsthand experiences of our patients and their families is an honor we deeply appreciate. We take pride in delivering a distinctive and exceptional level of care to our patients and their families,” she said.

For consumers seeking information on hospice quality measures, Fishbeck highlighted the official CMS website, Care Compare on Medicare.gov, as a valuable resource.

"Care Compare empowers consumers to make well-informed healthcare decisions by providing comprehensive, publicly reported performance metrics for hospice and other healthcare providers," she explained.

To learn more about Hospice, including opportunities to volunteer or support their wok, and/or determine if you or some you care about may be eligible for Hospice services, you can visit them online at www.hospiceslv.org or call 315-265-3105.