Richmond VA Medical Center receives top scores in latest CMS hospital ratings

CMS’s hospital ratings are based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care. A higher star rating, out of 5, indicates better performance on these quality measures. 

Within the last year, CVHCS has instituted several improvements to better serve Veterans.

• Enhanced Access to Care: Over 3,200 earlier appointments were scheduled in FY 25 saving 136,000 appointment days by optimizing clinic operations and expanding digital platforms and telehealth.
• Elevated Veteran Experience: The addition of 20 new private inpatient rooms, telephone system upgrades, and increased staff rounding have improved comfort, communication, and overall satisfaction.
• Improved Clinical Quality and Safety: Evidence-based care models—including advanced heart failure management, strong prevention with the WATCHMAN device, and infection control protocols—have reduced mortality, readmissions, and central line infections.
• Holistic, Veteran-Centered Care: Whole Health programs like Yoga and Tai Chi, along with streamlined digital tools and clinical workflows, have enhanced chronic pain management, care coordination, and overall quality of life for Veterans.

"These ratings highlight the excellent care Richmond VA Medical Center provides,” said J. Ronald Johnson, Executive Director of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System.  “Our job is to continue raising the bar for customer service and convenience throughout the department, so our hospitals and clinics work better for our Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we are charged with serving.” 

As part of CMS’s 2025 ratings, 77% of VA hospitals that received an Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating received 4 or 5 stars, and no VA hospitals received a one-star rating. More than 90% of VA hospitals with ratings maintained or improved their 2024-star rating.

View the star ratings and methodology for the ratings.

Overall VA improvements during the second Trump Administration

• The backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits is down more than 37% since Jan. 20, 2025.
• VA has opened 16 new health care clinics, expanding access for Veterans around the country.
• VA is spending an additional $800 million on infrastructure improvements to ensure department facilities provide safe and effective patient care.
• Since Jan. 20, VA has offered nearly 1 million health care appointments outside of normal operating hours. These early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments are giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
• VA is processing record numbers of disability claims, reaching an all-time fiscal-year high of 2.52 million ratings claims for FY25 as of Aug. 8.
• VA has made it easier and faster for VA-enrolled Veterans to access care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.
• VA has implemented major reforms to make it easier for survivors to get benefits.
• VA is accelerating the deployment of its integrated electronic health record system.
• VA partnered with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to identify and recover $106 million in duplicate billing.
• VA has brought tens of thousands of VA employees back to the office, where we can work better as a team to serve Veterans.
• In fiscal year 2025 through June, VA has housed 37,534 homeless Veterans. 

For more information, contact Jeff Clements, at jeffrey.clements@va.gov or .

Jeff Clements, Public Affairs Specialist