Results from the Leapfrog Group's newly introduced hospital report card shows nearly half of the 2,652 general hospitals issued a Hospital Safety Score earned a "C" or below.
The Hospital Safety Score is calculated using publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. These scores are publicly posted for consumer viewing. The Hospital Safety Score will be reissued using updated data in November 2012, with an annual Hospital Safety Score to follow in 2013 and beyond.
Results from the Hospital Safety Score showed of the 2,652 general hospitals issued a Hospital Safety Score, 729 earned an "A," 679 earned a "B," and 1243 earned a "C" or below. Not one category of hospital dominated the "A" category, although there are variations in performance based on state location.
"The Hospital Safety Score exclusively measures safety — meaning errors, accidents, and infections. Even hospitals with excellent programs for surgical and medical care, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and dedicated physicians may still need this score as a reminder that patient safety should be a top priority," said Ashish Jh, associated professor of health policy and management at Harvard and a member of the Leapfrog Group's Blue Ribbon Expert Panel.
The Hospital Safety Score is calculated using publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. These scores are publicly posted for consumer viewing. The Hospital Safety Score will be reissued using updated data in November 2012, with an annual Hospital Safety Score to follow in 2013 and beyond.
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Results from the Hospital Safety Score showed of the 2,652 general hospitals issued a Hospital Safety Score, 729 earned an "A," 679 earned a "B," and 1243 earned a "C" or below. Not one category of hospital dominated the "A" category, although there are variations in performance based on state location.
"The Hospital Safety Score exclusively measures safety — meaning errors, accidents, and infections. Even hospitals with excellent programs for surgical and medical care, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and dedicated physicians may still need this score as a reminder that patient safety should be a top priority," said Ashish Jh, associated professor of health policy and management at Harvard and a member of the Leapfrog Group's Blue Ribbon Expert Panel.
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