44632, Hartville, Ohio Asthma Score Hospital Score

The Hospital Score for the Asthma Score in 44632, Hartville, Ohio is 39 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

**Asthma Score: Navigating Asthma Care Near Massillon, Ohio (ZIP Code 44632)**

Living with asthma demands proactive healthcare. Finding the right hospital system is critical. This review assesses hospitals near Massillon, Ohio (ZIP Code 44632), focusing on asthma-specific care, emergency services, and overall quality metrics. The goal is to provide a fact-rich guide to help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare.

**Understanding the Asthma Score Framework**

This "Asthma Score" review considers multiple factors. We evaluate hospital systems based on their:

* **Asthma-Specific Services:** Availability of specialized asthma clinics, pulmonary specialists, and respiratory therapists.
* **Emergency Room (ER) Performance:** Wait times, efficiency in treating respiratory emergencies, and availability of advanced respiratory support.
* **Overall Quality Metrics:** CMS Star Ratings, patient satisfaction scores, and infection control records.
* **Telehealth Capabilities:** Accessibility of virtual appointments for asthma management and follow-up care.
* **Accessibility and Convenience:** Proximity to ZIP code 44632, ease of access, and parking availability.
* **Specialty Centers:** Presence of dedicated respiratory centers or programs.

**Key Hospital Systems in the Area**

Several hospital systems serve the Massillon area. We will focus on the most prominent, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses concerning asthma care.

**Aultman Hospital (Canton, OH): A Flagship with Mixed Reviews**

Aultman Hospital, located in Canton, Ohio, is a major healthcare provider, approximately 15 minutes from Massillon. Aultman is a flagship hospital, and its reputation is a mix of strengths and weaknesses.

* **CMS Star Rating:** Aultman Hospital currently holds a 3-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This rating reflects overall quality, including patient outcomes, safety, and patient experience. This rating is average, suggesting room for improvement.
* **Asthma-Specific Services:** Aultman offers pulmonary specialists and respiratory therapists. However, specific asthma clinics or dedicated programs are not widely advertised. Patients with complex asthma may need to seek specialized care elsewhere.
* **Emergency Room Performance:** ER wait times at Aultman can vary. While specific data for asthma-related ER visits is unavailable, general ER wait times should be a consideration. The hospital's website or the CMS Hospital Compare tool can provide the most up-to-date wait time information.
* **Telehealth Capabilities:** Aultman offers telehealth services, including virtual appointments with primary care physicians and specialists. The availability of telehealth for asthma management should be confirmed directly with the hospital.
* **Accessibility and Convenience:** Aultman is easily accessible from Massillon. Parking is available, but patients should anticipate potential congestion.
* **Specialty Centers:** Aultman has a heart and lung center, which may offer some respiratory services. However, a dedicated asthma center is not explicitly mentioned.

**Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital (Canton, OH): A Regional Presence**

Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, also located in Canton, is another significant healthcare provider in the area. It is roughly the same distance from Massillon as Aultman.

* **CMS Star Rating:** Mercy Hospital also has a 3-star CMS rating. This rating suggests similar levels of quality to Aultman, with areas for improvement.
* **Asthma-Specific Services:** Mercy Hospital provides pulmonary specialists and respiratory therapists. Specific asthma clinics or programs are not readily apparent.
* **Emergency Room Performance:** ER wait times at Mercy Hospital should be checked via the hospital's website or the CMS Hospital Compare tool.
* **Telehealth Capabilities:** Mercy Hospital offers telehealth services. Patients should confirm the availability of virtual appointments for asthma management.
* **Accessibility and Convenience:** Mercy Hospital is easily accessible from Massillon. Parking is available.
* **Specialty Centers:** Mercy Hospital has a heart and vascular center. However, it doesn't have a specific dedicated asthma center.

**Summa Health System (Akron, OH): A More Distant Option**

Summa Health System, based in Akron, Ohio, is a more distant option for residents of Massillon. While not as immediately accessible, Summa's specialized services may be a consideration for some patients.

* **CMS Star Rating:** Summa Health System's flagship hospital, Summa Health Akron Campus, has a 3-star CMS rating.
* **Asthma-Specific Services:** Summa Health offers pulmonary specialists and respiratory therapists. The availability of dedicated asthma clinics or programs should be confirmed directly with the hospital.
* **Emergency Room Performance:** ER wait times at Summa Health should be checked via the hospital's website or the CMS Hospital Compare tool.
* **Telehealth Capabilities:** Summa Health offers telehealth services. Patients should confirm the availability of virtual appointments for asthma management.
* **Accessibility and Convenience:** Summa Health is located in Akron, which is approximately 30-40 minutes from Massillon. This distance may be a factor for patients seeking immediate care. Parking is available.
* **Specialty Centers:** Summa Health has a heart and lung institute.

**Other Considerations**

* **Community Hospitals:** Smaller community hospitals near Massillon may provide basic asthma care. However, they may lack the specialized resources of larger hospital systems.
* **Pediatric Asthma Care:** Parents of children with asthma should consider hospitals with dedicated pediatric respiratory specialists and pediatric emergency services.
* **Insurance Coverage:** Patients should confirm that their insurance plan covers services at the chosen hospital system.

**Emergency Room Wait Times: A Critical Factor**

ER wait times are crucial during asthma exacerbations. The CMS Hospital Compare website provides data on average ER wait times. Patients should check these figures before choosing a hospital.

**Telehealth: Expanding Access to Care**

Telehealth offers a convenient way to manage asthma. Patients can schedule virtual appointments with pulmonologists and respiratory therapists. This can help monitor symptoms, adjust medications, and receive education about asthma management.

**Patient Satisfaction: The Voice of Experience**

Patient satisfaction scores provide valuable insights into the quality of care. The CMS Hospital Compare website includes patient experience data. Patients should review these scores to understand how other patients rate their experiences.

**Infection Control: Ensuring a Safe Environment**

Hospitals should have robust infection control protocols. Patients should inquire about these protocols to ensure a safe environment.

**Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice**

Choosing the right hospital for asthma care is a personal decision. Patients should consider their individual needs, the availability of specialized services, ER performance, telehealth capabilities, and overall quality metrics.

Aultman Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital are the closest options, both with 3-star CMS ratings. Summa Health System offers a more distant alternative. Patients should research each hospital system, check ER wait times, and confirm the availability of asthma-specific services and telehealth options. By carefully evaluating these factors, patients can make informed decisions about their asthma care and find the best possible support near Massillon, Ohio.