Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals Earn “A” Safety Grades 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, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and Ocean 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.

“At Hackensack Meridian Health, we are committed to transforming healthcare by providing the safest, highest quality care to our patients,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are proud to be recognized for patient safety by Leapfrog once again, and we will continue to set high standards and improve health outcomes for the communities we serve in New Jersey and beyond.”

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: A [elite “Straight A” designation]
• Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center: A [elite “Straight A” designation]
• Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center: A [elite “Straight A” designation]
• Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center: A
• Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center: A
• Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center: A

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

“Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals are once again ranked among the safest in the state and nation,” said Jose M. Azar, MD, executive vice president, chief quality officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Our world-class team members prioritize patient safety, and we will continue to strive for excellence in the care we provide to every patient, every day.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as 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 an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I extend my congratulations to Hackensack Meridian Health, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.”

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