Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals Earn Most “A” Safety Grades in New Jersey from The Leapfrog Group

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network, is proud to announce that seven of its hospitals earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog–the most of any health system in New Jersey. Hackensack University Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center are among an elite group nationwide to be designated as a “Straight A” hospital. “Straight A” hospitals have earned an “A” in at least five consecutive cycles of the Hospital Safety Grade.

Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals receiving an “A” rating for safety from Leapfrog include:

• Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center – A
• Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center [Elite “Straight A” Designation] – A
• Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center [Elite “Straight A” Designation] – A
• Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center – A
• Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center – A
• Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center – A
• Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center – A

“Hackensack Meridian Health is dedicated to providing the safest, highest quality care to the patients and communities we serve,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. “This national patient safety recognition from Leapfrog once again underscores our commitment to excellence across all of our hospitals and team members. We will continue to exceed industry standards and deliver innovative, compassionate care as we pursue our goal of improving health outcomes.”

Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

“Leapfrog has once again affirmed that Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals are among the safest in the state and nation,” said Jose M. Azar, MD, executive vice president, chief quality officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. “We want to thank our team members for all they do to prioritize patient safety, and we look forward to continuing to provide high-quality, safe care to our patients.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“Achieving seven ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grades is a significant accomplishment for Hackensack Meridian Health,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “These ratings reflect the team’s enormous dedication to patients and their families. I extend my congratulations to Hackensack Meridian Health, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for their tireless efforts to put patients first.”

To see Hackensack Meridian Health’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.