Lakeport >> The Leapfrog Group recently announced its 2016 Hospital Safety Scores, assigning letter grades to more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals. Ukiah Valley Medical Center (UVMC) was one of 798 hospitals to receive an A, ranking among the safest hospitals in the United States. Grades were awarded by assessing the medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections at each hospital.
Launched in 2012 as the only independent ratings program that focuses exclusively on patient safety, the Hospital Safety Score is the gold standard of patient safety. Each score includes 30 measures, and rates how well each hospital protects patients from errors, injuries and infections. It is calculated by patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. The Hospital Safety Score includes measures of patient-reported experience with the hospital as well as two of the most common infections, C.diff and MRSA.
“I am very proud of our team here at UVMC for achieving this level of excellence in safe care. Recognition like this is no small feat given the complexity of conditions that our patients have when they come in to our emergency room, surgery, medical surgical and intensive care areas,” Gwen Matthews, president and CEO of UVMC, said. “I have witnessed a deep commitment to patient safety, pushing the envelope of excellence by continuous training, active communication and diligent review of each case to ensure the highest level of patient-centered care possible.”
To see UVMC’s full score, and to access tips for patients and loved ones visiting a hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org. Consumers can also download the free Hospital Safety Score mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
“Avoidable deaths in hospitals should be the number one concern of our health care leaders. Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ from Leapfrog are leaders in saving lives, and we commend them and urge their continued vigilance,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.
Report highlights include: Of the 2,571 hospitals issued a Hospital Safety Score, 798 earned an A, 639 earned a B, 957 earned a C, 162 earned a D and 15 earned an F. Maine, which has had the highest percentage of A hospitals for the last four rounds of the score, dipped to second behind Vermont, where 83 percent of its hospitals achieved an A. This is the first time Vermont has claimed the number-one spot. Alternatively, for the third year, zero hospitals in the District of Columbia, Arkansas and Wyoming received an A grade.
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization. To learn more about the Hospital Safety Score, visit http://www.hospitalsafetyscore.org/.
