Rapides Regional Medical Center received an ‘A’ for patient safety on the latest scorecard from The Leapfrog Group., a Washington D.C.-based organization aiming to improve health care quality and safety for consumers.
The new Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades were released today.
Rapides Regional was one of 750 hospitals nationwide awarded an ‘A’ for its efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting the highest safety standards in the U.S. The Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to hospitals based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care.
It is the only hospital in Central Louisiana to receive an A rating.
“We are extremely proud to receive an ‘A’ rating from The Leapfrog Group,” said Jason Cobb, Rapides Regional Medical Center’s chief executive officer. “Our staff work tirelessly toward providing the safest care possible to our patients. Their safety is our first priority, so whether it be communication about medications, quadruple-checking medication orders, vigilance in preventing medical errors or infections, this score is proof that our efforts are benefiting patients and their families.”
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 a year. It is peer reviewed, transparent and free to the public.
“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.”
To see Rapides Regional Medical Center’s scores and patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade on Facebook.
“This award is a testimony to the dedication of our physicians, nurses, ancillary staff and board,” Cobb said. “We are humbled to be able to serve our community and offer them the highest level of healthcare.”