University Health earns fifth straight “A” grade for patient safety and care
The Leapfrog Group, an independent, nonprofit watchdog organization, has designated University Health as a “Straight A” hospital after awarding it the highest safety grade five times in a row. The rating, given to a select group, indicates the hospital’s consistent commitment to preventing medical errors, infections and harm, factors that can contribute to patient injuries and deaths.
“Five consecutive Leapfrog ‘A’ grades represent a remarkable achievement that extends beyond our pride,” said University Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bryan Alsip. “It validates the sustained excellence of our clinical teams who provide the highest quality care, which our University Health patients and their families can trust.”
Twice a year, The Leapfrog Group grades hospitals on up to 30 measures for patient safety, including preventable mistakes, problems with surgery, injuries, hospital-acquired infections and whether hospitals have practices in place to prevent errors.
They consider how medication is safely administered, staff communication about care after discharge and whether infection prevention techniques like handwashing are effectively practiced.
“My sincere congratulations to University Health for upholding patient safety standards through thick and thin, achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for five consecutive rounds of the Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Consistently earning an A demonstrates a long-term, organization-wide commitment to putting patient safety first.”
According to The Leapfrog Group, more than 200,000 people die every year because of preventable medical errors. The organization works to reduce mistakes through transparent reporting and encourages employers and community members to use their ratings to identify their community’s best facilities for health care.
