Enhanced Hospital Safety Score Helps Patients Track Consistency of Hospitals' Safety Record Over Time

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Apr 29, 2015, 08:00 ET

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, The Leapfrog Group released updated results for its Hospital Safety Score, which assigns letter grades to more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals based on their ability to prevent errors, injuries and infections. For the first time, the Score website displays a hospital's current score alongside previous grades over the past three years, giving insight into whether hospitals have demonstrated consistent performance or continuous improvement. Leapfrog will also cite hospitals that have received "Straight A's".

"Patient safety requires constant vigilance. More than 1,000 people die each day in the U.S. because of preventable hospital errors," said Leah Binder, Leapfrog president and CEO. "While patients should always reference a hospital's current grade as the most important indicator of safety, it's wise to check whether their hospital is making improvements over time or if its focus on safety has begun to slide."

Key Findings from the Spring 2015 Data:

Of the 2,523 hospitals issued a Hospital Safety Score, 782 earned an A, 719 earned a B, 859 earned a C, 143 earned a D and 20 earned an F.
Hospitals have improved on some Hospital Safety Score process measures since Fall 2014, but have not improved on outcomes.
Measures showing improvement include computerized medication prescribing systems and safety process measures before and after surgery.
Maine was the state with the highest percentage of A hospitals, while Washington, D.C., North Dakota and Arkansas had no A's.

For a full analysis of the data and methodology, state rankings, patient safety information and a mobile app, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.

About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Hospital Safety Score, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

CONTACT:	Erica Mobley
	The Leapfrog Group
	202-292-6713
	[email protected]

	Ashley Duvall
	Stern + Associates (on behalf of The Leapfrog Group)
	908-325-3865
	[email protected]