OPELOUSAS, La. (KPEL News) - One local hospital has been named one of the best in the state, earning top marks in a major study released this week.

Opelousas General Health System (OGHS) has been named one of the top hospitals in Louisiana, securing the No. 3 spot among medium-sized hospitals in the state on Newsweek's prestigious 2025 Best-in-State Hospitals list.

News Talk 96.5 KPEL logo
Get our free mobile app

This recognition highlights OGHS’s dedication to providing high-quality healthcare and a superior patient experience to residents of St. Landry Parish and surrounding areas.

Why Opelousas General Stands Out

The Newsweek ranking, developed in partnership with Statista, identifies 700 top hospitals across the country, evaluating them based on a range of performance metrics. OGHS, with its 171 beds, earned its place for exceptional scores in patient experience, care quality, and overall hospital safety, standing out as a leader among similar-sized facilities.

“It is an honor to be on Newsweek’s list considering there are 258 hospitals in Louisiana. Everyone at OGHS is immensely proud of this impressive accomplishment,"said Lance Armentor, OGHS President & CEO. "With 171 beds, we are behind only Ochsner Baton Rouge (160 beds) and Ochsner Kenner (116 beds) when you break it down to medium size hospitals. Comparing similar size and resources provides a more accurate ranking of performance."

How the Ranking Works

Newsweek’s methodology for this list evaluates hospitals on four key pillars, ensuring a comprehensive look at quality and patient satisfaction:

  1. Hospital Quality Metrics: Metrics from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) cover areas like mortality, safety, readmission rates, and patient experience. OGHS received excellent scores in these areas, proving its dedication to delivering safe and effective healthcare.
  2. Professional Recommendations: Medical professionals, including doctors and hospital managers, participated in a survey rating hospitals based on quality of care, staffing, accessibility, and patient support. These peer recommendations reflect OGHS’s strong reputation among Louisiana’s healthcare community.
  3. Patient Experience: Publicly available patient surveys assess factors like hospital cleanliness, staff communication, discharge planning, and responsiveness. OGHS scored highly, emphasizing its commitment to a welcoming and supportive environment for patients and their families.
  4. PROMs Implementation: Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) gauge patients’ perceived quality of life and well-being following treatments, with hospitals rated on their use of this data to enhance care. OGHS’s high score in PROMs implementation further supports its mission to deliver patient-centered, outcomes-driven care.

What This Recognition Means for Louisiana Residents

For patients in Louisiana, this ranking assures them of OGHS’s focus on quality, safety, and patient-centered care. As the largest hospital in St. Landry Parish, OGHS is a critical healthcare provider for the region, offering a wide range of specialized services and advanced treatments. From emergency services to outpatient care, OGHS continues to lead in healthcare innovation and service excellence.

About Opelousas General Health System

Since 1957, OGHS has been a cornerstone of healthcare in Opelousas, committed to enhancing the health and well-being of the community. With a dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and medical staff, OGHS provides compassionate, high-quality care in a state-of-the-art facility, ensuring patients feel supported and respected.

Top Marks for OGHS

Opelousas General Health System’s placement on Newsweek’s 2025 Best-in-State Hospitals list is a well-deserved recognition of its commitment to excellence. Louisiana residents can trust OGHS to provide top-notch medical care, delivered by a team that prioritizes safety, compassion, and innovation.

The Top Restaurants Lafayette Misses Most

It's no secret that we in Lafayette love our food, and we've had a lot of great restaurants come and go. Here are some of the ones you all said you missed the most.

Gallery Credit: Joe Cunningham

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL