Hospital record · FY2026CCN 210048

1Hospital

Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center

2Location

Columbia, MD (Maryland’s hospitals on the map and in the table) 21044

Howard County

3Type

Not a teaching hospital · 233 beds · Nonprofit · Urban

4Care Compare stars

3 of 5 stars

Overall rating, CMS Care Compare data of July 22, 2026
Open on Care Compare (opens in a new tab)

5Total HAC Score

0.3475

As CMS reports it

6Payment reduction

N/A

7Estimated cut

Maryland: exempt

Not subject

Maryland’s hospitals are exempt from this program’s cut.

For fiscal year 2026, CMS reports a Total HAC Score of 0.3475 for Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center and a payment reduction decision of N/A.

Maryland’s hospitals are scored but not subject to the reduction. The score compares hospitals with each other; it is not a grade of the quality of care.

CMS cut scores of 0.3799 and above.

Each year CMS cuts the hospitals with the highest quarter of scores, those above the 75th percentile, so the line moves with other hospitals’ scores.

Higher than 73% of the other 2,928 scores CMS published (higher is worse).

CMS’s note on the payment reduction: Maryland hospitals are waived from receiving payment adjustments under the Program.

Where the score came from

CMS scored this hospital on all 6 measures. On every measure a lower value is better. Each row puts the hospital among every hospital with a value: the gray columns are those hospitals, the tall tick is the national median, and the hatched ends score the same as CMS’s floor or cap.

Bringing SSI down to the national median (0.795) would lower the score the most: by 0.3309, to 0.0166. Try it in the what-if

Figure 1. Of its 6 measures with a value, this hospital is above the national median on 5; SSI added the most to its score.

This hospital
National median
Scores the same as CMS’s floor or cap

PSI 90 (what it counts)
Safety problems such as serious bedsores, falls that break a bone and blood clots after surgery, found by CMS in traditional Medicare claims. A value of 1 matches the national composite value.
Patient safety and adverse events composite
Worse than 50% of the other 2,808 hospitals
estimate

This site recomputes this measure’s z‑score from CMS’s published value. The recompute can differ from CMS’s z‑score by up to 0.0021. How this site estimates

CMS value0.9638

Z-score−0.1720

Part of score−0.0287
CLABSI (what it counts)
Bloodstream infections tied to a central line, a tube often placed in a large vein in the neck, chest or groin. Hospitals report them to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. A value of 1.0 means as many infections as the CDC’s model predicted.
Central line–associated bloodstream infections
Worse than 59% of the other 2,181 hospitals

CMS value0.670

Z-score0.1478

Part of score+0.0246
CAUTI (what it counts)
Urinary tract infections that start from a urinary catheter, a tube that drains the bladder. Hospitals report them to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. A value of 1.0 means as many infections as the CDC’s model predicted.
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections
Worse than 68% of the other 2,354 hospitals

CMS value0.664

Z-score0.2820

Part of score+0.0470
SSI (what it counts)
Deep infections at the site of colon surgery or an abdominal hysterectomy, within a month of the operation, pooled into one measure. Hospitals report them to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. A value of 1.0 means as many infections as the CDC’s model predicted.
added the most
Surgical site infections after colon surgery or abdominal hysterectomy
Worse than 93% of the other 2,269 hospitals

CMS value1.954

Z-score1.8907

Part of score+0.3151
CDI (what it counts)
C. diff infections, which cause diarrhea and inflammation of the colon, found by a lab test and starting in the hospital. Hospitals report them to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. A value of 1.0 means as many infections as the CDC’s model predicted.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections
Worse than 73% of the other 2,766 hospitals
estimate

This site recomputes this measure’s z‑score from CMS’s published value. The recompute can differ from CMS’s z‑score by up to 0.0071. How this site estimates

CMS value0.512

Z-score0.5203

Part of score+0.0867
MRSA (what it counts)
Bloodstream infections with MRSA, a germ that resists several antibiotics, found by a lab test and starting in the hospital. Hospitals report them to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. A value of 1.0 means as many infections as the CDC’s model predicted.
MRSA bloodstream infections
Better than 70% of the other 2,067 hospitals

CMS value0.418

Z-score−0.5837

Part of score−0.0973

Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, HACRP FY2026 (yq43-i98g), released August 13, 2026.

Show table

Measure	CMS value	National median	Z-score	Part of the score	Among hospitals
PSI 90	0.9638	0.9623	−0.1720	−0.0287	Worse than 50% of the other 2,808 hospitals
CLABSI	0.670	0.559	0.1478	+0.0246	Worse than 59% of the other 2,181 hospitals
CAUTI	0.664	0.489	0.2820	+0.0470	Worse than 68% of the other 2,354 hospitals
SSI	1.954	0.795	1.8907	+0.3151	Worse than 93% of the other 2,269 hospitals
CDI	0.512	0.346	0.5203	+0.0867	Worse than 73% of the other 2,766 hospitals
MRSA	0.418	0.641	−0.5837	−0.0973	Better than 70% of the other 2,067 hospitals

How the parts add up

CMS adds the z‑scores and divides by the number of measures scored, so each measure counts the same. Each bar below is one z‑score divided by 6; a bar right of zero raised the score and one left of zero lowered it.

(−0.1720PSI 90+0.1478CLABSI+0.2820CAUTI+1.8907SSI+0.5203CDI−0.5837MRSA)÷6measures=0.3475Total HAC Score

Figure 2. The parts add up to 0.3475, below CMS’s line.

This site recomputes · Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, HACRP FY2026 (yq43-i98g), released August 13, 2026.

Show table

Measure	Z-score	Part of the score	Running total
PSI 90	−0.1720	−0.0287	−0.0287
CLABSI	0.1478	+0.0246	−0.0041
CAUTI	0.2820	+0.0470	0.0429
SSI	1.8907	+0.3151	0.3580
CDI	0.5203	+0.0867	0.4447
MRSA	−0.5837	−0.0973	0.3474
Total HAC Score			0.3475
CMS’s line		0.3792	0.3799

What if a measure were different?

Change a measure’s value to see how this site recomputes the Total HAC Score and the payment reduction decision, starting from CMS’s values.

The what-if needs JavaScript. Without it, the values below stay as they are.

Show table

	CMS reports	Hypothetical
Total HAC Score	0.3475	same
Payment reduction decision	N/A (not subject to the reduction)	same

CMS reports a Total HAC Score of 0.3475 and a payment reduction decision of N/A (not subject to the reduction).

A what-if shows the formula’s arithmetic, not what a hospital could realistically change or how. CMS’s real result also depends on other hospitals.

Each measure weighs 1 ÷ 6 of the score.

Measure values

SIR 1.0 = as many infections as predicted · Lower is better

On each track the tick is the national median; shaded values score the same as the floor or cap, as this site fits them to CMS’s values.

Patient safety and adverse events composite PSI 90

PSI 90 value

CMS 0.9638 · median 0.9623 · floor 0.7760 · cap 1.3482 · each 0.1 = 0.1164

Central line–associated bloodstream infections CLABSI

CLABSI value

CMS 0.670 · median 0.559 · cap 1.572 · each 0.1 = 0.0387

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections CAUTI

CAUTI value

CMS 0.664 · median 0.489 · cap 1.537 · each 0.1 = 0.0402

Surgical site infections after colon surgery or abdominal hysterectomy SSI

SSI value

CMS 1.954 · median 0.795 · cap 2.118 · each 0.1 = 0.0286

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections CDI

CDI value

CMS 0.512 · median 0.346 · cap 0.944 · each 0.1 = 0.0645

MRSA bloodstream infections MRSA

MRSA value

CMS 0.418 · median 0.641 · cap 1.762 · each 0.1 = 0.0348

Have your NHSN predicted counts? (optional, stays in your browser)

Stays in your browser; never sent.

Optional: your NHSN predicted infections for CLABSI, January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024

Optional: your NHSN predicted infections for CAUTI, January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024

Optional: your NHSN predicted infections for SSI, January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024

Optional: your NHSN predicted infections for CDI, January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024

Optional: your NHSN predicted infections for MRSA, January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024

Figure 3. SSI added the most to this hospital’s Total HAC Score of 0.3475 among its measured results: +0.3151.

PSI 90 −0.0287
CLABSI +0.0246
CAUTI +0.0470
SSI +0.3151
CDI +0.0867
MRSA −0.0973

A measure adds its z‑score divided by 6, the number of measures scored. Bars right of the center line raise the score. Hatched: assigned by CMS.

This site recomputes · Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, HACRP FY2026 (yq43-i98g), released August 13, 2026.

Show table

Measure	Z-score	Part of the score	Hypothetical
PSI 90	−0.1720	−0.0287	same
CLABSI	0.1478	+0.0246	same
CAUTI	0.2820	+0.0470	same
SSI	1.8907	+0.3151	same
CDI	0.5203	+0.0867	same
MRSA	−0.5837	−0.0973	same

Interactive what-if at https://paidandpenalized.org/hacrp/hospital/210048/

Among hospitals with a Yes or No payment decision, CMS cut those with a published Total HAC Score of 0.3799 or higher and none at 0.3792 or lower. Maryland’s hospitals are scored but not subject to the reduction.

Held fixed: every other hospital’s results, CMS’s line, and each measure’s mean, spread, floor and cap as this site fits them to CMS’s published values.

Its infections, year by year

This hospital’s infection rate against prediction for each calendar year Care Compare published one, on each measure with at least two years of results (black), over the nation’s middle hospital (gray). Below the dashed line at one, fewer infections than predicted. Each year is measured against the same fixed baseline, not against other hospitals, so unlike the score they can all improve at once.

Figure 4. 2 of its 5 infection measures ended lower than they started.

Source: CMS Care Compare, healthcare-associated infections by hospital, calendar years 2017 to 2024 (Provider Data Catalog archives; the oldest year through the Internet Archive’s copy).

Show table

Calendar year	CLABSI	CAUTI	SSI, colon	MRSA	C. diff
2017	0.211	0.528	0.213	0.737	0.627
2018	0.655	0.355	0.267	0.786	0.772
2019	0.232	0.000	0.651	0.968	0.847
2021	1.456	0.651	0.555	1.210	0.830
2022	1.416	0.559	1.548	0.942	0.878
2023	1.060	0.863	0.982	0.000	0.507
2024	0.236	0.454	1.901	0.805	0.518

Among hospitals like it

Each row is a group this hospital belongs to, drawn from every hospital in it with a payment decision. Red columns are hospitals past CMS’s line, the ones CMS cut; the short tick is the group’s middle score.

Figure 5. Its score is above the middle in all 6 groups it belongs to; the share cut runs from 22% (South region) to 26% (Nonprofit).

Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, HACRP FY2026 (yq43-i98g), released August 13, 2026.

Show table

Group	With a decision	Hospitals cut	Share cut	Middle score	Hospital higher than
All hospitals	2,886	718	25%	−0.0453	73%
South region	1,174	263	22%	−0.1056	75%
Not teaching	1,563	389	25%	−0.1053	73%
100 to 299 beds	1,193	275	23%	−0.0732	74%
Nonprofit	1,830	478	26%	−0.0134	71%
Urban	2,241	510	23%	−0.0574	74%
This hospital				0.3475
CMS’s line				0.3792	0.3799

The nearest hospitals

The 8 closest hospitals with a Total HAC Score, in a straight line. The squares are each hospital’s measures in order: filled, above the national median; open, at or below it; hatched, assigned by CMS; blank, not scored.

Figure 6. CMS cut none of the 8 nearest hospitals; the closest is 10 miles away.

Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, HACRP FY2026 (yq43-i98g), released August 13, 2026.

Show table

Hospital	Miles	Score	Decision
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, Olney, MD	10	−0.6614	not subject
Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center, Silver Spring, MD	11	−0.2079	not subject
Northwest Hospital Center, Randallstown, MD	11	−0.0055	not subject
UMD Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute, Baltimore, MD	12	1.9139	not subject
Saint Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, MD	12	−0.0138	not subject
MedStar Harbor Hospital, Baltimore, MD	15	−0.3128	not subject
University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD	15	0.7646	not subject
University of MD Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Glen Burnie, MD	15	0.1583	not subject

#	Hospital	Miles	Score	Decision	Est. cut ($, modeled)	Measures
1	MedStar Montgomery Medical CenterOlney, MD	10	−0.6614	N/A	$0	Above the national median on 2 of 6 measures
2	Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical CenterSilver Spring, MD	11	−0.2079	N/A	$0	Above the national median on 2 of 6 measures
3	Northwest Hospital CenterRandallstown, MD	11	−0.0055	N/A	$0	Above the national median on 2 of 6 measures
4	UMD Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic InstituteBaltimore, MD	12	1.9139	N/A	$0	Above the national median on 6 of 6 measures
5	Saint Agnes HospitalBaltimore, MD	12	−0.0138	N/A	$0	Above the national median on 4 of 6 measures
6	MedStar Harbor HospitalBaltimore, MD	15	−0.3128	N/A	$0	Above the national median on 2 of 6 measures
7	University of Maryland Medical CenterBaltimore, MD	15	0.7646	N/A	$0	Above the national median on 6 of 6 measures
8	University of MD Baltimore Washington Medical CenterGlen Burnie, MD	15	0.1583	N/A	$0	Above the national median on 4 of 6 measures

Download all hospitals’ data (CSV) · Data dictionary · CMS’s dataset page

CMS’s footnotes on this page

a: Maryland hospitals are waived from receiving payment adjustments under the Program.

How the program works, and how to find another hospital

A penalty reflects how CMS’s formula scored relative performance; it is not a verdict on the quality of care.

Cite this page

Paid & Penalized. Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center, Columbia, MD: Hospital-Acquired Conditions, FY2026. https://paidandpenalized.org/hacrp/hospital/210048/. Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, HACRP FY2026 (yq43-i98g), released August 13, 2026.