Six Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, More than Any Other Network in New Jersey

Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean University Medical Center, Bayshore Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center and Pascack Valley Medical Center receive top rating

Hackensack Meridian Health is pleased to announce that six of its hospitals received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2021. This national distinction recognizes Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean University Medical Center, Bayshore Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center and Pascack Valley Medical Center’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and error in the hospital.

“Hackensack Meridian Health is proud that six of our hospitals received an ‘A’ grade from the Leapfrog group,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. “I want to thank our team members for their hard work and dedication, especially as we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This top rating reflects the high-quality, compassionate care we provide our patients each day, and we look forward to continuing to elevate the standard of care in New Jersey and beyond.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, injuries, accidents and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a tremendous achievement, of which this community should be extremely proud,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I thank the leadership and workforce of Hackensack Meridian Health and their recognized hospitals for their commitment to prioritizing patients and their safety, especially during these trying times.”

“At Hackensack Meridian Health, we are committed to transforming the way care is delivered to the patients and communities we serve,” said Thomas Bader, M.D., Chief Clinical Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health.  “Our team members are always striving for excellence and continue to enhance quality and safety standards across the network. We are thrilled to receive this recognition and will continue to do everything we can to provide exceptional care to our patients.”

To see these Hackensack Meridian Health hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.