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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.

Medstar Washington Hospital Center

Washington, DC

Acute Care Hospitals

Children's National Hospital

Washington, DC

Childrens

Overview

Metric Medstar Washington Hospital Center Children's National Hospital
Overall Star Rating 3/5 ★ N/A
Type Acute Care Hospitals Childrens
Ownership Voluntary non-profit - Other Voluntary non-profit - Private
Emergency Services Yes Yes
Birthing Friendly Yes No
Avg Patient Experience 1.9 N/A

Quality Performance

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

Category Medstar Washington Hospital Center Children's National Hospital
Better Same Worse Better Same Worse
Mortality 3 4 0 N/A N/A N/A
Safety of Care 4 4 0 N/A N/A N/A
Readmission 1 9 1 N/A N/A N/A

Patient Experience (HCAHPS)

Patient satisfaction survey star ratings (1-5 scale)

Survey Question Medstar Washington Hospital Center Children's National Hospital
Cleanliness - linear mean score N/A N/A
Cleanliness - star rating ★ 2 N/A
Communication about medicines - linear mean score N/A N/A
Communication about medicines - star rating ★ 1 N/A
Discharge information - linear mean score N/A N/A
Discharge information - star rating ★ 2 N/A
Doctor communication - linear mean score N/A N/A
Doctor communication - star rating ★ 2 N/A
Nurse communication - linear mean score N/A N/A
Nurse communication - star rating ★ 2 N/A
Overall hospital rating - linear mean score N/A N/A
Overall hospital rating - star rating ★ 2 N/A
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 N/A
Recommend hospital - linear mean score N/A N/A
Recommend hospital - star rating ★ 2 N/A
Summary star rating ★ 2 N/A

Healthcare-Associated Infections

Infection rates compared to national benchmarks

Infection Type Medstar Washington Hospital Center Children's National Hospital
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards)
0.122
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Lower Confidence Limit
0.049
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Number of Urinary Catheter Days
30670
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Observed Cases
6
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Predicted Cases
49.154
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards): Upper Confidence Limit
0.254
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards)
1.1
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Lower Confidence Limit
0.793
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Observed Cases
39
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Predicted Cases
35.443
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards): Upper Confidence Limit
1.489
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection: Number of Device Days
33510
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff)
0.286
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Lower Confidence Limit
0.213
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Observed Cases
47
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Patient Days
225743
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Predicted Cases
164.156
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff): Upper Confidence Limit
0.377
Better than National
N/A
Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia
1.046
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Lower Confidence Limit
0.679
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Observed Cases
23
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Patient Days
241223
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Predicted Cases
21.979
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
MRSA Bacteremia: Upper Confidence Limit
1.545
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy
0.517
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Lower Confidence Limit
0.026
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Number of Procedures
206
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Observed Cases
1
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Predicted Cases
1.935
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy: Upper Confidence Limit
2.549
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery
0.654
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Lower Confidence Limit
0.304
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Number of Procedures
396
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Observed Cases
8
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Predicted Cases
12.224
Same as National
N/A
Not Available
SSI - Colon Surgery: Upper Confidence Limit
1.243
Same as National
N/A
Not Available

Medicare Spending

Medicare spending per episode compared between hospitals

Measure Medstar Washington Hospital Center Children's National Hospital
Medicare hospital spending per patient (Medicare Spending per Beneficiary) 1.02 N/A

Maternal Health

Maternal care quality measures including C-section rates and outcomes

Measure Medstar Washington Hospital Center Children's National Hospital
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. Learn more

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.