Tool · Side-by-side comparison

Compare Hospitals

Put any two of 5,426 Medicare-certified hospitals head to head on CMS star ratings, patient experience, infections, readmissions, spending, and maternal care.

5,426
Hospitals: 3.1★
National avg: 2,866
Rated

Every figure here is drawn from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare release covering 5,426 Medicare-certified hospitals, last refreshed March 2026, see our methodology.

Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center

Columbia, MD

Acute Care Hospitals

Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Ctr

Fort Washington, MD

Acute Care Hospitals

Overview

Metric	Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center	Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Ctr
Overall Star Rating	3/5 ★	2/5 ★
Type	Acute Care Hospitals	Acute Care Hospitals
Ownership	Voluntary non-profit - Private	Voluntary non-profit - Other
Emergency Services	Yes	Yes
Birthing Friendly	Yes	No
Avg Patient Experience	2.8	2.9

Quality Performance

Number of quality measures rated better, same, or worse than the national average

Category	Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center			Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Ctr
	Better	Same	Worse	Better	Same	Worse
Mortality	1	5	0	0	4	0
Safety of Care	2	5	0	0	3	0
Readmission	1	5	2	0	6	1

Patient Experience (HCAHPS)

Patient satisfaction survey star ratings (1-5 scale)

Survey Question	Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center	Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Ctr
Cleanliness - linear mean score	N/A	N/A
Cleanliness - star rating	★ 2	★ 3
Communication about medicines - linear mean score	N/A	N/A
Communication about medicines - star rating	★ 2	★ 2
Discharge information - linear mean score	N/A	N/A
Discharge information - star rating	★ 4	★ 4
Doctor communication - linear mean score	N/A	N/A
Doctor communication - star rating	★ 3	★ 4
Nurse communication - linear mean score	N/A	N/A
Nurse communication - star rating	★ 3	★ 3
Overall hospital rating - linear mean score	N/A	N/A
Overall hospital rating - star rating	★ 3	★ 2
Patients who gave their hospital a rating of 6 or lower on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest)	N/A	N/A
Patients who gave their hospital a rating of 7 or 8 on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest)	N/A	N/A
Patients who gave their hospital a rating of 9 or 10 on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest)	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported NO, they would probably not or definitely not recommend the hospital	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that NO, they did not discuss whether they would need help after discharge	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that NO, they did not receive written information about possible symptoms to look out for after discharge	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that NO, they were not given information about what to do during their recovery at home	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that staff "Always" explained about medicines before giving it to them	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that staff "Sometimes" or "Never" explained about medicines before giving it to them	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that staff "Usually" explained about medicines before giving it to them	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that the area around their room was "Always" quiet at night	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that the area around their room was "Sometimes" or "Never" quiet at night	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that the area around their room was "Usually" quiet at night	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Always" communicated well	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Always" explained things in a way they could understand	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Always" listened carefully to them	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Always" treated them with courtesy and respect	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Sometimes" or "Never" treated them with courtesy and respect	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Sometimes" or "Never" communicated well	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Sometimes" or "Never" explained things in a way they could understand	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Sometimes" or "Never" listened carefully to them	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Usually" treated them with courtesy and respect	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Usually" communicated well	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Usually" explained things in a way they could understand	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their doctors "Usually" listened carefully to them	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Always" communicated well	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Always" explained things in a way they could understand	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Always" listened carefully to them	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Always" treated them with courtesy and respect	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Sometimes" or "Never" treated them with courtesy and respect	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Sometimes" or "Never" communicated well	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Sometimes" or "Never" explained things in a way they could understand	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Sometimes" or "Never" listened carefully to them	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Usually" treated them with courtesy and respect	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Usually" communicated well	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Usually" explained things in a way they could understand	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their nurses "Usually" listened carefully to them	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their room and bathroom were "Always" clean	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their room and bathroom were "Sometimes" or "Never" clean	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that their room and bathroom were "Usually" clean	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Always" communicated what the medication was for	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Always" discussed possible side effects	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Sometimes" or "Never" communicated what the medication was for	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Sometimes" or "Never" discussed possible side effects	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Usually" communicated what the medication was for.	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that when receiving new medication the staff "Usually" discussed possible side effects	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that YES, they did discuss whether they would need help after discharge	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that YES, they did receive written information about possible symptoms to look out for after discharge	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported that YES, they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported YES, they would definitely recommend the hospital	N/A	N/A
Patients who reported YES, they would probably recommend the hospital	N/A	N/A
Quietness - linear mean score	N/A	N/A
Quietness - star rating	★ 2	★ 3
Recommend hospital - linear mean score	N/A	N/A
Recommend hospital - star rating	★ 3	★ 2
Summary star rating	★ 3	★ 3

Healthcare-Associated Infections

Infection rates compared to national benchmarks

Infection Type	Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center	Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Ctr
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards)	0.335 Same as National	N/A Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Lower Confidence Limit	0.056 Same as National	N/A Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Number of Urinary Catheter Days	4780 Same as National	773 Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Observed Cases	2 Same as National	2 Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Predicted Cases	5.963 Same as National	0.381 Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Upper Confidence Limit	1.108 Same as National	N/A Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards)	0.496 Same as National	N/A Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Lower Confidence Limit	0.083 Same as National	N/A Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Observed Cases	2 Same as National	1 Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Predicted Cases	4.033 Same as National	0.544 Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Upper Confidence Limit	1.638 Same as National	N/A Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection: Number of Device Days	3848 Same as National	934 Not Available
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff)	0.447 Better than National	0 Same as National
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Lower Confidence Limit	0.26 Better than National	N/A Same as National
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Observed Cases	15 Better than National	0 Same as National
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Patient Days	63983 Better than National	9383 Same as National
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Predicted Cases	33.543 Better than National	2.95 Same as National
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Upper Confidence Limit	0.721 Better than National	1.016 Same as National
MRSA Bacteremia	0.262 Same as National	N/A Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Lower Confidence Limit	0.013 Same as National	N/A Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Observed Cases	1 Same as National	1 Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Patient Days	67410 Same as National	9383 Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Predicted Cases	3.817 Same as National	0.251 Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Upper Confidence Limit	1.292 Same as National	N/A Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy	N/A Not Available	N/A Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Lower Confidence Limit	N/A Not Available	N/A Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Number of Procedures	20 Not Available	N/A Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Observed Cases	1 Not Available	N/A Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Predicted Cases	0.152 Not Available	N/A Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Upper Confidence Limit	N/A Not Available	N/A Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery	2.489 Worse than National	N/A Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Lower Confidence Limit	1.264 Worse than National	N/A Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Number of Procedures	159 Worse than National	14 Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Observed Cases	10 Worse than National	0 Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Predicted Cases	4.018 Worse than National	0.397 Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Upper Confidence Limit	4.436 Worse than National	N/A Not Available

Medicare Spending

Medicare spending per episode compared between hospitals

Measure	Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center	Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Ctr
Medicare hospital spending per patient (Medicare Spending per Beneficiary)	N/A	N/A

Maternal Health

Maternal care quality measures including C-section rates and outcomes

Measure	Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center	Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Ctr
Cesarean Birth	N/A	N/A
Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure	N/A	N/A
Risk Adjusted Severe Obstetric Complications (All)	N/A	N/A
Risk Adjusted Severe Obstetric Complications (excluding blood-transfusion-only cases)	N/A	N/A

Data from CMS Hospital Compare. This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. About PlainHospital and our data sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What data is used in this hospital comparison?

This comparison tool uses data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare program. It includes overall star ratings, quality measures (mortality, safety, readmissions), patient experience (HCAHPS) surveys, healthcare-associated infection rates, unplanned visit measures, Medicare spending per episode, and maternal health measures.

How are CMS star ratings calculated?

CMS overall hospital star ratings are calculated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars using data from multiple quality measures across five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Hospitals must have sufficient data in at least three measure groups to receive a star rating.

What does "Better than National" mean?

When a quality measure is marked "Better than National," it means the hospital's performance on that specific measure is statistically significantly better than the national benchmark. Similarly, "Worse than National" indicates the hospital performs significantly below the benchmark, and "Same as National" means no statistically significant difference.

What are HCAHPS patient experience surveys?

HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) is a standardized patient satisfaction survey administered to a random sample of recently discharged patients. It measures aspects of hospital care such as communication with doctors and nurses, responsiveness of staff, cleanliness, discharge information, and overall rating.

How often is the comparison data updated?

CMS publishes updated Hospital Compare data quarterly. Our database is refreshed with each new CMS release to provide the most current quality metrics available for comparison.

Can I compare more than two hospitals?

Currently this tool supports side-by-side comparison of two hospitals at a time. For broader comparisons, check our Rankings pages for top-rated, safest, and best patient experience hospitals.

Compiled byPlainHospital Editorial, Hospital Quality Editorial Team

Every figure on PlainHospital is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.