St. Joe’s receives an ‘A’ for patient safety

St. Joseph’s Health Hospital was the only hospital in Central New York to be awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, according to a news release issued by the hospital.

The designation recognizes St. Joseph’s efforts in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care.

The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The safety grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

“We are extremely proud to once again receive an ‘A’ rating from Leapfrog,” said physician Joseph Spinale, chief medical officer, St. Joseph’s Health. “Leapfrog analyzes everything from our culture and our leadership, to communication, patient recovery, infection rates, and hand hygiene. This rating demonstrates the success of our efforts to be the safest and most reliable provider of health care in the region.”

“To be recognized nationally as an ‘A’ hospital is an accomplishment the whole community should take pride in,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ grade are making it a priority to protect patients from preventable medical harm and error. We congratulate hospital leaders, board members, staff, volunteers and clinicians who work so hard to earn this A.”