SMH-Sarasota the only Suncoast hospital, and among approximately 10% in nation, to earn Leapfrog’s elite ‘Straight A’ designation
Both Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) campuses received top marks for how well they prevent medical errors, accidents and infections, as noted in The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2025 Hospital Safety Report Cards, which were released on Nov. 13, SMH staff announced.
“It is the latest in a streak of straight A’s earned by Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s flagship SMH-Sarasota campus and its newer SMH-Venice campus, which opened in November 2021,” a news release points out.
“Issued in the spring and fall of each year to approximately 3,000 general hospitals across the nation, Leapfrog’s safety grades are based on annual hospital survey data and patient safety measures obtained from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,” the release explains.
“SMH-Sarasota is the only hospital on the Suncoast, and among approximately 10% in the nation, to earn Leapfrog’s elite ‘Straight A’ designation,” the release points out. “The Sarasota campus has received straight A’s since it began participating in the Leapfrog survey in 2016,” the release notes.
“A small number of hospitals have consistently achieved ‘A’ grades — an impressive feat,” Leapfrog noted in its fall 2025 report. “These hospitals are denoted with the ‘Straight A’s’ logo in recognition of their achievement of the highest standards of patient safety year after year. We hope all hospitals will strive to offer this level of dependable care,” Leapfrog added.
The SMH-Venice campus also has “earned A’s in every reporting period since it became eligible to participate in Leapfrog’s safety survey,” the release says. “It will be eligible for Leapfrog’s ‘Straight A’ designation after five consecutive grading periods,” the release notes.
“Sarasota Memorial Health Care System CEO David Verinder commended both campuses for setting the benchmark for safe, high-caliber care — not only on the Suncoast, but across the nation,” the release continues.
“SMH has been caring for our growing community for 100 years,” Verinder said in the release. “This recognition reflects our organization’s enduring mission and our entire team’s unwavering dedication to the growing community we serve,” he added. “From the smallest detail to the most complex procedure, patient safety is not just a priority — it’s part of our culture and deeply rooted public mission.”
To view the Fall 2025 results, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.