Leapfrog Group rates hospitals on basis of publicly reported quality and safety data
Hospital safety report cards released on April 30 showed Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) continued its straight-A streak for keeping patients safe from medical errors, infections, accidents and other harm while they were in its care, SMH has announced.
The Leapfrog Group assigns hospitals across the nation A, B, C, D or F safety grades in the spring and fall of each year based on hospital performance data pegged to 28 publicly reported quality and safety factors, an SMH news release explains. The safety grades are designed to help patients “quickly assess and choose the safest local hospitals” at which to seek care, the release adds.
Of more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals graded in the spring 2020 report card, 33% earned an A, 25% earned a B, 34 % earned a C, 7% a D and less than 1% received an F, the release points out. “Sarasota Memorial has earned straight A’s since it began participating in Leapfrog’s voluntary hospital safety survey in 2016,” the release notes.
“As the nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and healthcare workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, in the release. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Sarasota Memorial Hospital. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need,” Binder added in the release.
SMH CEO David Verinder attributed the high marks to the dedication and diligence of the hospital’s entire team, the release continues. “Our highest priority now and always is the safety of our patients, staff and the community we serve.”
According to a spring 2019 study regarding the Hospital Safety Grade initiative, researchers said more than 50,000 lives would have been saved if all hospitals had an avoidable death rate equivalent to A hospitals, the release points out. That study noted the following for facilities with other grades, in comparison to A hospitals:
- Patients at D and F hospitals face a 92% greater risk of avoidable death.
- Patients at C hospitals on average face an 88% greater risk of avoidable death.
- Patients at B hospitals on average face a 35% greater risk of avoidable death.
To access Leapfrog’s full results, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.