Acute Care Hospital

Watauga Medical Center

336 Deerfield Road, Boone, NC 28607
24/7 Emergency Services
4 out of 5 Stars Why 4 stars? Watauga Medical Center's 4-star rating reflects below-average performance on Timely Care.

CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating · Watauga Medical Center

How was Watauga Medical Center's 4-star rating calculated?

The CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating applies to acute care hospitals like Watauga Medical Center. CMS standardizes every underlying measure against the national rate, computes a weighted score for each of five domains, sums them by the fixed weights below, and assigns 1–5 stars using k-means clustering across all reporting hospitals.

Domains that fed Watauga Medical Center's rating
Domain Weight Measures reported Hospital performance vs. national
Mortality 22% 6 of 7 0 better 6 same 0 worse
Safety of Care 22% 17 of 19 1 better 16 same 0 worse
Readmissions 22% 5 of 6 0 better 4 same 1 worse
Timely & Effective Care 12% 17 of 22 3 better 8 same 6 worse
Patient Experience 22% HCAHPS See HCAHPS detail below

How star meaning varies by hospital type. This CMS Overall Star Rating only applies to acute care hospitals. Children's hospitals (Pediatric Quality), psychiatric hospitals (IPFQR), inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF QRP), long-term acute care hospitals (LTACH QRP), and VA medical centers each use separate quality programs designed for their patient populations. Comparing star ratings across these facility types isn't meaningful — see the methodology page for the full mapping of which program applies to which facility.

How CareRanks computes ratings → · CMS official methodology ↗

Quality measures

Mortality

Same as National Average

Measures the rate at which patients die within 30 days of hospital admission for specific conditions. A lower mortality rate indicates better outcomes.

Underlying measures: Hybrid Hospital-Wide All-Cause Risk Standardized Mortality Rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 4.10 95% interval: 3.30 – 5.00 Sample size: 682 Reporting period: 07/01/2023 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: Hybrid_HWM Death rate for COPD patients No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 12.20 95% interval: 8.40 – 16.80 Sample size: 84 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: MORT_30_COPD Death rate for heart attack patients No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 12.30 95% interval: 9.50 – 15.50 Sample size: 133 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: MORT_30_AMI Death rate for heart failure patients No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 10.70 95% interval: 7.60 – 14.80 Sample size: 145 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: MORT_30_HF Death rate for pneumonia patients No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 15.20 95% interval: 11.70 – 19.60 Sample size: 174 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: MORT_30_PN Death rate for stroke patients No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 13.20 95% interval: 9.60 – 17.80 Sample size: 90 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: MORT_30_STK Death rate for CABG surgery patients Not Available Hospital score: — Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: MORT_30_CABG

Safety of Care

Same as National Average

Tracks hospital-acquired infections, surgical complications, and other patient safety indicators. Lower rates indicate better safety practices.

Underlying measures: Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff) Better than the National Benchmark Hospital score: 0.29 SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_6_SIR Abdominopelvic accidental puncture or laceration rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 0.98 95% interval: 0.00 – 2.04 Sample size: 277 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_15 Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards) No Different than National Benchmark Hospital score: 0.00 SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_2_SIR Iatrogenic pneumothorax rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 0.18 95% interval: 0.00 – 0.40 Sample size: 2,502 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_06 Rate of complications for hip/knee replacement patients No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 3.30 95% interval: 1.80 – 6.00 Sample size: 74 Reporting period: 04/01/2021 – 03/31/2024 CMS measure id: COMP_HIP_KNEE In-hospital fall-associated fracture rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 0.25 95% interval: 0.04 – 0.46 Sample size: 2,365 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_08 MRSA Bacteremia No Different than National Benchmark Hospital score: 0.00 SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_5_SIR Postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 2.47 95% interval: 0.80 – 4.14 Sample size: 571 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_09 Perioperative pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 4.38 95% interval: 2.04 – 6.73 Sample size: 603 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_12 Postoperative acute kidney injury requiring dialysis rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 1.60 95% interval: 0.00 – 3.29 Sample size: 191 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_10 Postoperative respiratory failure rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 9.24 95% interval: 0.48 – 18.00 Sample size: 180 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_11 Postoperative sepsis rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 5.76 95% interval: 1.57 – 9.96 Sample size: 166 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_13 Pressure ulcer rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 0.34 95% interval: 0.00 – 1.34 Sample size: 1,880 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_03 CMS Medicare PSI 90: Patient safety and adverse events composite No Different Than the National Value Hospital score: 0.96 95% interval: 0.53 – 1.38 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_90 SSI - Colon Surgery No Different than National Benchmark Hospital score: 0.93 SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_3_SIR Death rate among surgical inpatients with serious treatable complications No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 153.05 95% interval: 89.62 – 216.48 Sample size: 27 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_04 Postoperative wound dehiscence rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 1.72 95% interval: 0.21 – 3.23 Sample size: 77 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_14 Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards) Not Available Hospital score: — SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_1_SIR SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy Not Available Hospital score: — SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_4_SIR

Readmissions

Same as National Average

Measures how often patients return to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Lower readmission rates suggest effective treatment and discharge planning.

Underlying measures: 30-day Readmission, COPD As expected Hospital score: 0.99 Sample size: 84 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-COPD-HRRP 30-day Readmission, Heart Attack As expected Hospital score: 0.96 Sample size: 117 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-AMI-HRRP 30-day Readmission, Heart Failure As expected Hospital score: 1.03 Sample size: 165 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-HF-HRRP 30-day Readmission, Pneumonia As expected Hospital score: 1.00 Sample size: 180 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-PN-HRRP 30-day Readmission, Hip/Knee Replacement Worse than expected Hospital score: 1.12 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-HIP-KNEE-HRRP 30-day Readmission, Bypass Surgery Hospital score: — Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-CABG-HRRP

Patient Experience

Same as National Average

Based on the HCAHPS survey — patient satisfaction with communication, cleanliness, pain management, and discharge information.

Patient survey detail — the questions feeding the Patient Experience domain above expand ↓

CMS computes the Patient Experience domain from the federal HCAHPS survey. Each bar below is one survey question; the percentage is the share of Watauga's recent patients who gave the most positive response. HCAHPS percentages aren't directly comparable across all measures — see the methodology page for how CMS weights them.

  • Communication with Nurses 83%
  • Communication with Doctors 84%
  • Hospital Cleanliness 71%
  • Hospital Quietness 61%
  • Staff Responsiveness N/A
  • Discharge Information 90%
  • Overall Hospital Rating (9 or 10) 78%
  • Would Recommend Hospital 75%

Percentages represent patients who gave the most positive response. Survey conducted by CMS through the HCAHPS program.

Timely & Effective Care

Below National Average

Measures how quickly the hospital provides important treatments such as antibiotics for pneumonia or interventions for heart attacks.

Underlying measures: Left before being seen Better than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 1.00 % National median: 1.00 % (lower is better) Sample size: 23,682 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: OP_22 Hospital Harm - Opioid Related Adverse Events Better than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 0.00 % National median: 0.00 % (lower is better) Sample size: 2,199 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: HH_ORAE Healthcare workers given influenza vaccination Better than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 92.00 % National median: 79.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 1,168 Reporting period: 10/01/2024 – 03/31/2025 CMS measure id: IMM_3 Discharged on Antithrombotic Therapy Near the national median Hospital score: 97.00 % National median: 98.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 75 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: STK_02 Antithrombotic Therapy by End of Hospital Day 2 Near the national median Hospital score: 92.00 % National median: 94.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 73 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: STK_05 Endoscopy/polyp surveillance: appropriate follow-up interval for normal colonoscopy in average risk patients Near the national median Hospital score: 97.00 % National median: 97.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 104 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: OP_29 Safe Use of Opioids - Concurrent Prescribing Near the national median Hospital score: 15.00 % National median: 15.00 % (lower is better) Sample size: 1,249 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: SAFE_USE_OF_OPIOIDS Average (median) time psychiatric/mental health patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit. A lower number of minutes is better Near the national median Hospital score: 266.00 min National median: 248.00 min (lower is better) Sample size: 15 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: OP_18c Head CT results Near the national median Hospital score: 64.00 % National median: 74.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 11 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: OP_23 Septic Shock 6-Hour Bundle Near the national median Hospital score: 88.00 % National median: 89.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 25 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: SEP_SH_6HR Severe Sepsis 6-Hour Bundle Near the national median Hospital score: 91.00 % National median: 94.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 80 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: SEV_SEP_6HR Average (median) time patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit, excluding patients transferred to another facility or psychiatric care/mental health patients. A lower number of minutes is better Worse than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 203.00 min National median: 148.00 min (lower is better) Sample size: 372 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: OP_18b Average (median) time patients spent in the emergency department before being transferred to another facility. A lower number of minutes is better Worse than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 524.00 min National median: 294.00 min (lower is better) Sample size: 12 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: OP_18d Average (median) time all patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit, including psychiatric/mental health patients and patients who were transferred to another facility. A lower number of minutes is better Worse than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 208.00 min National median: 154.00 min (lower is better) Sample size: 397 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: OP_18a Appropriate care for severe sepsis and septic shock Worse than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 40.00 % National median: 64.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 166 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: SEP_1 Septic Shock 3-Hour Bundle Worse than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 45.00 % National median: 72.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 58 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: SEP_SH_3HR Severe Sepsis 3-Hour Bundle Worse than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 67.00 % National median: 81.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 166 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: SEV_SEP_3HR

Clinical Staff

Watauga Medical Center has 272 CMS-affiliated clinicians on its roster — physicians, advanced practice providers, and other Medicare-enrolled professionals who list this hospital as an affiliated facility.

Top specialties

  • Nurse Practitioner 41
  • Family Practice 36
  • Physician Assistant 28
  • Diagnostic Radiology 26
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (Crna) 22
  • Internal Medicine 17
  • Emergency Medicine 14
  • Cardiovascular Disease (Cardiology) 11

Self-reported primary specialty in the CMS Doctors & Clinicians dataset. Many clinicians serve multiple facilities.

Practice characteristics

Accept Medicare assignment
269 (99%)

Bill Medicare directly at the approved rate — patients only owe co-insurance/deductible.

Offer telehealth
34 (13%)

Indicated by the clinician in their CMS profile as routinely providing virtual visits.

Medicare quality scoring (MIPS)

120 of these clinicians have a published Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) final score. Of those, 99 (83%) score above the national median of 85.5.

MIPS scoring is heavily compressed at the top of the 0–100 range, so individual scores are not a reliable consumer signal. We surface roster-level coverage and the share above the national median instead.

Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians (Care Compare) national downloadable file and MIPS Performance Year final scores, as of 2026-05-27. Affiliations from the CMS Facility Affiliations dataset. About 16% of small facilities (critical access, rural emergency, freestanding psych, IRF/LTCH) do not appear in the affiliations file and therefore have no panel.

Find a Doctor

Search the 272 clinicians affiliated with Watauga Medical Center. Each name links to that clinician's official Medicare Care Compare profile, where you can see their credentials, secondary specialties, group affiliations, and (when applicable) MIPS quality scores.

Showing 30 of 272 clinicians (alphabetical)

Roster from CMS Doctors and Clinicians (Care Compare), updated 2026-05-27. A clinician may also practice at other facilities; "affiliated" means this hospital is on their CMS profile, not that they exclusively work here.

Pricing & Costs

Facility Information

Facility type
Acute Care Hospitals
Ownership
Government - Local
Emergency services
Yes — 24/7

Nearby Hospitals

About this data

Quality and ratings data are sourced from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare program. Star ratings are CMS's own calculation; CareRanks does not modify or re-weight them. Facility-level details (address, beds, ownership, teaching status) come from CMS provider files and the CMS Provider of Services file.

Pricing data, where shown, is drawn from the hospital's own Machine-Readable File (MRF) published under the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule. See our methodology for the full update cadence and limitations.

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