Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center a member of CommonSpirit was awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the 29th consecutive grading round by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. This designates French Hospital as a “Straight A” hospital, defined as hospitals that have an A for Spring 2026 and have sustained that grade for at least the last five or more grading rounds. This select group represents 15% of all eligible hospitals. French Hospital is one of only 11 hospitals across the nation to achieve 29 consecutive A’s, and one of just 2 hospitals in the state of California and the only hospital on the Central Coast to claim this elite 29 straight “A” status. Of all US healthcare systems, CommonSpirit has the largest number of hospitals with ‘Straight A’ designations, a testament to their consistent commitment to patient safety and quality care.
“This achievement speaks volumes about the deep-seated dedication and commitment of our entire French Hospital family. It reflects our relentless pursuit of excellence in patient care, the robust safety protocols embedded in every aspect of our operations, and the extraordinary teamwork of our staff, says Sue Andersen, President and CEO, French Hospital Medical Center. “For me, it signifies more than just a grade; it’s a profound validation that our community can truly trust French Hospital to provide the safest and highest quality health care.”
“As CMO, this outstanding record reassures me that our clinical teams are not only adhering to the most stringent safety standards but are actively innovating and collaborating to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients, says Dr. Tom Vendegna, Chief Medical Officer for French Hospital Medical Center and the Central Coast Market. “This strong commitment to safety, coupled with our 5-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, truly showcases French Hospital’s dedication to being a national leader in both quality and patient experience.”
The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
“Dignity Health’s French Hospital deserves recognition for its unwavering focus on protecting patients and delivering safe care, earning an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for 29 consecutive cycles,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Sustaining this level of excellence over time shows a true, organization-wide commitment to making patient safety a top priority every single day.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on preventable medical errors, injuries and infections that can lead to harm or even death. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
To see French Hospital’s full grade details and to find essential patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.