The Nonprofit Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade Report: Progress in Patient Safety

The recent fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grade report by the nonprofit Leapfrog Group highlights significant progress in patient safety across various performance measures including healthcare-associated infections, hand hygiene, and medication safety. The report evaluates close to 3,000 hospitals based on their ability to prevent medical errors, accidents, and infections, using up to 30 performance measures to assign grades ranging from “A” to “F”.

State-level performance is also tracked in the report, with Utah maintaining the top spot for the highest percentage of “A” hospitals for the third consecutive cycle, followed by Virginia and Connecticut. Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, stated, “Preventable deaths and harm in hospitals have been a major policy concern for decades. It is good news that hospitals across the country are making notable gains in patient safety, saving countless lives.”

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) have seen a significant reduction since fall 2022, with Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) all showing marked decreases. Hand hygiene standards have also improved, with a notable increase in the percentage of hospitals meeting the tough new standard since 2020.

In terms of medication safety, the Hospital Safety Grade report indicates improvements in preventing medication errors. Computerized Prescriber Order Entry (CPOE) and Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) systems have played a crucial role in reducing errors and ensuring the correct administration of medications.

The report also highlights notable trends by state, with Utah, Virginia, Connecticut, North Carolina, and others ranking highest in terms of the percentage of “A” hospitals. However, despite overall improvements, significant variation in hospital performance still exists, underlining the importance of consulting safety grades when making healthcare decisions.

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**FAQ**

**Q: How does the Hospital Safety Grade report assess hospitals’ performance?**
A: The Hospital Safety Grade report evaluates hospitals using up to 30 performance measures to assign grades ranging from “A” to “F” based on their ability to prevent medical errors, accidents, and infections.

**Q: Which states rank highest in terms of the percentage of “A” hospitals?**
A: Utah, Virginia, and Connecticut are among the top-ranking states with the highest percentage of hospitals receiving an “A” grade.

**Q: What are some of the notable improvements in patient safety highlighted in the fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grade report?**
A: Healthcare-associated infections, hand hygiene standards, and medication safety measures have all shown significant progress in reducing errors and improving patient safety in hospitals.

**Conclusion**

The fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grade report by The Leapfrog Group underscores the progress made by hospitals in enhancing patient safety through various performance measures. While there have been significant improvements in healthcare-associated infections, hand hygiene, and medication safety, there is still room for continued progress and vigilance to ensure the highest standards of patient care. By consulting safety grades when making healthcare decisions, individuals can make informed choices and help drive further improvements in hospital safety.