Acute Care Hospital

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

1325 S Cliff Ave Post Office Box 5045, Sioux Falls, SD 57117
24/7 Emergency Services
3 out of 5 Stars Why 3 stars? Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center's 3-star rating reflects above-average performance on Safety of Care and Timely Care.

CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating · Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

How was Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center's 3-star rating calculated?

The CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating applies to acute care hospitals like Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health 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 Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center's rating
Domain Weight Measures reported Hospital performance vs. national
Mortality 22% 6 of 7 1 better 5 same 0 worse
Safety of Care 22% 19 of 19 3 better 16 same 0 worse
Readmissions 22% 4 of 6 1 better 2 same 1 worse
Timely & Effective Care 12% 16 of 22 5 better 9 same 2 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 Better Than the National Rate Hospital score: 3.20 95% interval: 2.70 – 3.80 Sample size: 2,254 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: 9.50 95% interval: 6.70 – 13.60 Sample size: 160 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: 12.10 95% interval: 9.10 – 15.90 Sample size: 43 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: 10.80 95% interval: 8.40 – 13.90 Sample size: 334 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: 14.70 95% interval: 12.10 – 17.60 Sample size: 498 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: 13.40 95% interval: 11.30 – 16.00 Sample size: 432 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

Better than 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: 0.38 SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_6_SIR Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (ICU + select Wards) Better than the National Benchmark Hospital score: 0.27 SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_2_SIR SSI - Colon Surgery Better than the National Benchmark Hospital score: 0.30 SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_3_SIR Abdominopelvic accidental puncture or laceration rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 1.13 95% interval: 0.35 – 1.91 Sample size: 2,910 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_15 Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (ICU + select Wards) No Different than National Benchmark Hospital score: 0.90 SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_1_SIR Iatrogenic pneumothorax rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 0.14 95% interval: 0.00 – 0.33 Sample size: 10,545 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: 4.60 95% interval: 3.20 – 6.50 Sample size: 321 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: 0.24 95% interval: 0.06 – 0.42 Sample size: 10,666 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_08 MRSA Bacteremia No Different than National Benchmark Hospital score: 0.54 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: 2.21 95% interval: 0.97 – 3.44 Sample size: 3,115 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: 3.35 95% interval: 1.75 – 4.94 Sample size: 3,245 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: 1.08 95% interval: 0.00 – 2.47 Sample size: 1,698 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: 8.00 95% interval: 3.01 – 12.99 Sample size: 1,683 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_11 Postoperative sepsis rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 5.26 95% interval: 2.49 – 8.04 Sample size: 1,581 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_13 Pressure ulcer rate No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 1.04 95% interval: 0.54 – 1.54 Sample size: 8,718 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: 1.03 95% interval: 0.79 – 1.28 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_90 SSI - Abdominal Hysterectomy No Different than National Benchmark Hospital score: 0.52 SIR Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: HAI_4_SIR Death rate among surgical inpatients with serious treatable complications No Different Than the National Rate Hospital score: 170.45 95% interval: 130.76 – 210.13 Sample size: 158 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: 0.34 – 3.10 Sample size: 954 Reporting period: 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: PSI_14

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, Pneumonia Better than expected Hospital score: 0.83 Sample size: 574 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-PN-HRRP 30-day Readmission, COPD As expected Hospital score: 0.99 Sample size: 177 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-COPD-HRRP 30-day Readmission, Heart Failure As expected Hospital score: 0.95 Sample size: 368 Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-HF-HRRP 30-day Readmission, Hip/Knee Replacement Worse than expected Hospital score: 1.10 Sample size: 301 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 30-day Readmission, Heart Attack Hospital score: Reporting period: 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2024 CMS measure id: READM-30-AMI-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 Avera'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 79%
  • Communication with Doctors 79%
  • Hospital Cleanliness 64%
  • Hospital Quietness 61%
  • Staff Responsiveness N/A
  • Discharge Information 90%
  • Overall Hospital Rating (9 or 10) 73%
  • Would Recommend Hospital 76%

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

Timely & Effective Care

Better than National Average

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

Underlying measures: Anticoagulation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Better than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 85.00 % National median: 75.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 102 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: STK_03 Average (median) time psychiatric/mental health patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit. A lower number of minutes is better Better than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 118.00 min National median: 248.00 min (lower is better) Sample size: 19 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: OP_18c 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 Better than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 117.00 min National median: 148.00 min (lower is better) Sample size: 389 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: OP_18b 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 Better than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 117.00 min National median: 154.00 min (lower is better) Sample size: 413 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: OP_18a Left before being seen Better than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 0.00 % National median: 1.00 % (lower is better) Sample size: 53,764 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: OP_22 Antithrombotic Therapy by End of Hospital Day 2 Near the national median Hospital score: 95.00 % National median: 94.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 416 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: 99.00 % National median: 97.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 1,052 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: OP_29 Head CT results Near the national median Hospital score: 73.00 % National median: 74.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 11 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: OP_23 Appropriate care for severe sepsis and septic shock Near the national median Hospital score: 61.00 % National median: 64.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 146 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: SEP_1 Septic Shock 3-Hour Bundle Near the national median Hospital score: 66.00 % National median: 72.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 47 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: SEP_SH_3HR Septic Shock 6-Hour Bundle Near the national median Hospital score: 84.00 % 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 3-Hour Bundle Near the national median Hospital score: 79.00 % National median: 81.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 146 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: SEV_SEP_3HR Severe Sepsis 6-Hour Bundle Near the national median Hospital score: 94.00 % National median: 94.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 69 Reporting period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 CMS measure id: SEV_SEP_6HR Healthcare workers given influenza vaccination Near the national median Hospital score: 88.00 % National median: 79.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 9,018 Reporting period: 10/01/2024 – 03/31/2025 CMS measure id: IMM_3 Discharged on Antithrombotic Therapy Worse than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 94.00 % National median: 98.00 % (higher is better) Sample size: 454 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: STK_02 Safe Use of Opioids - Concurrent Prescribing Worse than ~75% of hospitals Hospital score: 22.00 % National median: 15.00 % (lower is better) Sample size: 5,924 Reporting period: 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 CMS measure id: SAFE_USE_OF_OPIOIDS

Psychiatric Unit Quality (IPFQR)

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center operates a Medicare-certified inpatient psychiatric unit that reports under the federal IPFQR program. The measures below are specific to that unit — not the hospital as a whole. They cover restraint and seclusion use, screening for medication side effects, substance-use and tobacco treatment, transitions of care, follow-up after discharge, and readmissions.

Physical Restraint Use 0.0 hours per 1,000 patient-hours
National median: 0.1 hours Near national median

HBIPS-2 — hours of physical restraint use per 1,000 patient-hours. Lower is better; restraints carry physical and psychological risks.

Seclusion Use 0.0 hours per 1,000 patient-hours
National median: 0.0 hours Near national median

HBIPS-3 — hours of seclusion per 1,000 patient-hours. Lower is better; seclusion is used only when no other intervention works.

Metabolic Screening (SMD) 98.0 %
National median: 92.0 % Near national median

SMD — % of patients on antipsychotics screened for metabolic side effects (BMI, blood glucose, cholesterol). Antipsychotics raise metabolic-syndrome risk; screening catches it early.

Tobacco-Use Treatment at Discharge 81.0 %
National median: 64.0 % Better than national median

TOB-3 — % of patients using tobacco who received counseling and/or medication at discharge.

Transition Record Completed 88.0 %
National median: 77.0 % Better than national median

TR-1 — % of discharges with a completed transition record including medications, follow-up plan, and crisis instructions.

Follow-up Within 7 Days 44.4 %
National median: 35.4 % Better than national median

FAPH-7 — % of patients with a follow-up outpatient mental-health visit within 7 days of discharge. Predicts lower readmission risk.

Follow-up Within 30 Days 74.1 %
National median: 60.7 % Better than national median

FAPH-30 — % of patients with a follow-up outpatient mental-health visit within 30 days of discharge.

30-Day Readmission Rate 19.2 %
National median: 19.1 % Near national median

READM-30-IPF — risk-standardized 30-day readmission rate. No Different Than the National Rate

Influenza Immunization 95.0 %
National median: 87.0 % Near national median

IMM-2 — % of patients given a flu vaccine during the inpatient stay.

Source: CMS Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Quality Reporting Program. Reporting period ending 12/31/2024.

Clinical Staff

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center has 995 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 197
  • Physician Assistant 103
  • Family Practice 100
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (Crna) 82
  • Internal Medicine 62
  • Diagnostic Radiology 34
  • Orthopedic Surgery 31
  • Hospitalist 29

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

Practice characteristics

Accept Medicare assignment
993 (100%)

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

Offer telehealth
165 (17%)

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

Medicare quality scoring (MIPS)

135 of these clinicians have a published Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) final score. Of those, 69 (51%) 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 995 clinicians affiliated with Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health 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 995 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
Voluntary non-profit - Private
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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