French Hospital Medical Center, (part of Dignity Health), was awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade today for the 27th consecutive time by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog organization. This accolade recognizes French Hospital as one of only 11 hospitals in the country, one of only 2 in California, and the only one on the Central Coast to earn an “A” Grade continuously for all 27 grading cycles since the program’s inception in 2012.
“French Hospital’s 27 consecutive ‘A’ grades from The Leapfrog Group along with our 5-star CMS rating are a significant achievement, one we don’t take for granted,” says Sue Andersen, President & CEO. “This reflects our commitment to patient safety and healthcare excellence, driven by the dedication and expertise of our team. We are incredibly proud.”
The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. These largely preventable problems harm one in four hospital inpatients and cause as many as 250,000 deaths each year.
“Everyone who works and volunteers at French Hospital should be so proud. Sustaining an “A” over multiple years reflects a deep-rooted commitment to patient safety. French Hospital has made a clear and consistent effort to protect patients from harm. This is reflected in the outstanding and very remarkable distinction of earning an ‘A’ Safety Grade every cycle for the past 13 years” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I congratulate everyone at French Hospital for their national example and never-ending quest to put patients safety first. ”