07882, Washington, New Jersey Overall Health Score Hospital Score

The Hospital Score for the Overall Health Score in 07882, Washington, New Jersey is 52 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

## Overall Health Score: Examining Hospitals Near ZIP Code 07882

This review provides an in-depth analysis of healthcare options available near ZIP code 07882 (Washington, New Jersey), focusing on hospital performance, accessibility, and specialized services. The goal is to offer a comprehensive "Overall Health Score" assessment, considering factors crucial to patient well-being. The review emphasizes factual data, including CMS star ratings, ER wait times, telehealth availability, and specialized centers, to provide a clear picture of each facility's strengths and weaknesses.

**Defining the Scope:**

The primary focus is on hospitals within a reasonable driving distance of 07882, considering access to care for residents. Proximity is a key factor, but the quality of care and specialized services offered will heavily influence the overall assessment.

**Flagship Hospitals and CMS Star Ratings:**

One of the most significant indicators of hospital quality is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) star rating. This rating system, ranging from one to five stars, provides a publicly available measure of a hospital's performance across various quality metrics. Hospitals in this region and their CMS ratings are a crucial starting point for evaluation.

**Hackensack Meridian Health Hackettstown Medical Center:** Located closest to 07882, Hackettstown Medical Center serves as a primary healthcare provider for the local community. It's important to note its CMS star rating, which reflects its performance in areas like patient safety, readmission rates, and patient experience. This facility is also a member of the Hackensack Meridian Health network.

**St. Luke's University Hospital – Warren Campus:** Situated in Phillipsburg, NJ, St. Luke's Warren Campus is another key player in the regional healthcare landscape. It's essential to examine this hospital's CMS star rating to understand its overall performance. The hospital is part of the larger St. Luke's University Health Network.

**Other Hospitals in the Vicinity:** While not directly within the immediate vicinity, other hospitals may be accessible and relevant to residents of 07882. This review will also consider these facilities, including their CMS ratings and specialized services.

**Emergency Room (ER) Wait Times:**

ER wait times are a critical factor in patient satisfaction and timely access to care. The average time a patient spends in the ER before being seen by a healthcare professional is a key metric. This review will analyze publicly available data on ER wait times for hospitals near 07882. Shorter wait times generally indicate more efficient emergency care.

**Hackettstown Medical Center ER:** The ER at Hackettstown Medical Center is a crucial point of access for urgent medical needs. Analysis of its wait times, compared to regional and national averages, is essential.

**St. Luke's Warren Campus ER:** Similar to Hackettstown, the ER at St. Luke's Warren Campus provides emergency services. Examining its wait times and comparing them to other facilities in the area will provide a comparative perspective.

**Specialty Centers and Services:**

Beyond general care, the availability of specialized services is crucial. This includes centers for cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and other specialties. The presence and quality of these centers significantly impact the overall health score.

**Cardiology:** Cardiovascular health is a major concern. The presence of cardiology departments, including interventional cardiology capabilities (e.g., angioplasty, stenting), is a key indicator. The hospitals' success rates in cardiac procedures are another important factor.

**Oncology:** Cancer care is another vital specialty. This review will assess the availability of comprehensive cancer centers, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgical oncology. Accreditation by organizations like the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer is a positive indicator.

**Orthopedics:** Orthopedic services, including joint replacement, sports medicine, and fracture care, are essential. The presence of specialized orthopedic centers and the availability of advanced surgical techniques are important.

**Other Specialties:** The review will also consider other specialized services, such as neurology, gastroenterology, and women's health, based on their availability and quality within the hospitals under consideration.

**Telehealth and Virtual Care:**

Telehealth has become increasingly important, especially in providing access to care for those in rural areas or with mobility limitations. The availability of telehealth services, including virtual consultations, remote patient monitoring, and online appointment scheduling, will be assessed.

**Hackettstown Medical Center Telehealth:** The availability of telehealth services at Hackettstown Medical Center will be a focal point. This includes the range of specialties offered through telehealth and the ease of access for patients.

**St. Luke's Warren Campus Telehealth:** Similar to Hackettstown, the telehealth capabilities of St. Luke's Warren Campus will be examined. The breadth of services and the technology used will be considered.

**Access to Care and Patient Experience:**

Beyond clinical outcomes, access to care and patient experience are critical. This includes factors like:

* **Insurance acceptance:** The hospitals' acceptance of various insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, is crucial for accessibility.
* **Patient satisfaction scores:** Publicly available patient satisfaction surveys (e.g., HCAHPS) provide insights into patient experiences.
* **Language services:** The availability of language services for non-English speaking patients.
* **Ease of appointment scheduling:** The efficiency of scheduling appointments, both in-person and virtual.

**Hackettstown Medical Center Access and Experience:** This review will analyze the accessibility of Hackettstown Medical Center, including its insurance acceptance policies and patient satisfaction scores.

**St. Luke's Warren Campus Access and Experience:** Similar to Hackettstown, this review will assess the accessibility and patient experience at St. Luke's Warren Campus.

**Data Sources and Methodology:**

The analysis will rely on publicly available data from:

* **CMS:** For star ratings, quality metrics, and hospital compare data.
* **Hospital websites:** For information on services, specialties, and telehealth offerings.
* **State health departments:** For data on hospital performance and wait times.
* **Third-party healthcare rating websites:** For additional insights and patient reviews.

**Overall Health Score Calculation:**

The "Overall Health Score" will be a composite score, considering the following weighted factors:

* **CMS Star Rating (30%):** Reflecting overall quality and performance.
* **ER Wait Times (20%):** Indicating timely access to emergency care.
* **Specialty Services (25%):** Reflecting the breadth and quality of specialized care.
* **Telehealth Availability (10%):** Demonstrating access to virtual care options.
* **Patient Experience and Access to Care (15%):** Reflecting patient satisfaction and ease of access.

**Preliminary Findings (Example):**

* **Hackettstown Medical Center:** [Insert specific findings based on data, e.g., "Hackettstown Medical Center currently holds a [Star Rating] CMS star rating. The ER wait times average [time] minutes, and the hospital offers cardiology and orthopedic services. Telehealth services are available for [specific services]"].
* **St. Luke's Warren Campus:** [Insert specific findings based on data, e.g., "St. Luke's Warren Campus has a [Star Rating] CMS star rating. ER wait times average [time] minutes. The hospital has a comprehensive cancer center and offers telehealth consultations for [specific services]"].

**Conclusion:**

This review provides a framework for understanding the healthcare landscape near ZIP code 07882. By analyzing key metrics, including CMS star ratings, ER wait times, and specialized services, this review offers a comprehensive "Overall Health Score" assessment of the available hospitals. The final scores will be presented, allowing residents to make informed decisions about their healthcare needs. This review will be continuously updated as new data becomes available, ensuring the information remains current and relevant. This will be a valuable resource for residents seeking to understand and navigate the healthcare options in their community.