Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo and Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton both received an “A” rating in The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2018 Safety Score, demonstrating the hospitals’ commitments to delivering safe, high-quality patient care to the Central Coast community. Sierra Vista and Twin Cities have achieved consecutive A’s every reporting period since the ratings first came out in 2012. Leapfrog releases the grades in April and October each year.
The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Score is a rating system designed to give consumers information they can use to make healthcare decisions for themselves or a loved one. The Leapfrog Group assigns A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals based on their ability to prevent errors, injuries, accidents and infections.
“This rating recognizes our continuous commitment to placing safety at the forefront of our patients’ care,” said Mark Lisa, CEO of Sierra Vista and Twin Cities. “We focus on driving improvements in care delivery and patient satisfaction every day. Our clinical leaders regularly review our hospital’s patient care processes and compare our data to nationally recognized benchmarks and best practices. Nothing is more important to us than offering our patients trusted care in a safe environment.”
“This is the only national rating of how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm and death, such as medical errors, infections, and injuries,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Receiving an ‘A’ Safety Grade means a hospital is among the best in the country for preventing these terrible problems and putting their patients first, 24 hours a day.”
Developed under the guidance of an Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to approximately 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is peer reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
Measures are national in scope and reported at the hospital level. Leapfrog collects and compiles data from voluntary hospital surveys and mandated reporting to national oversight agencies. Primary sources include data from CMS Hospital Compare and the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, as well as secondary sources such as the American Hospital Association’s annual survey. Hospitals are scored on 30 measures. These measures rely on data such as the number of people who develop infections in the hospital, how many are readmitted within 30 days of discharge and whether staff reliably wash their hands and follow safety protocols; among others.
To see Sierra Vista and Twin Cities’ full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.
About Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
As the largest hospital in San Luis Obispo County, Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center strives to produce optimal outcomes and exceptional patient experiences to the community it serves. With 164 beds, Sierra Vista puts advanced technology into the hands of experienced medical specialists to deliver quality healthcare. High-level services include neurosurgery, orthopedics, obstetrics, perinatology (high-risk pregnancy), neonatology (high-risk newborn care), pediatrics, cancer care and trauma. Sierra Vista houses the largest Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between Santa Barbara and Salinas, the only dedicated pediatric unit in San Luis Obispo County and serves as the county’s designated trauma center. Sierra Vista is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and has been serving the community since 1959.
About Twin Cities Community Hospital
Twin Cities Community Hospital, a 122-bed acute care hospital, has been caring for the communities of Northern San Luis Obispo County since 1977. With a medical staff of more than 200 physicians and 400 caregivers and support staff, the hospital specializes in emergency care, obstetrics, orthopedics and a broad array of medical, surgical and outpatient services. Twin Cities Community Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® with distinction for its knee replacement program. In addition, the hospital is recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery. Baby-Friendly USA designated Twin Cities Community Hospital as an internationally recognized Baby-Friendly birth facility. The hospital also reports one of the lowest Cesarean section rates in the State of California.
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 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, 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.