When they start handing out letter grades for performance there isn’t anyone among us who doesn’t want to make the Dean’s List as among the best of the best, so you can rest assured that doctors, nurses and other medical professionals in the Lakeland Health arena are pleased with their second straight “A” at the St. Joseph regional medical center and the improved performance for both that facility and their hospital in Niles since the “C” rankers they both earned a year ago in the spring of 2016. The grading comes from a national non-profit watchdog unit called The Leapfrog Group.
That unit, along with the Economic Alliance for Michigan, announced this week the release of the Spring 2017 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. This marks the fifth straight year for rankings following the measure’s inception in 2012. They report that strides in patient safety have continually been made throughout the state and nation over time including a 21-percent decline in “hospital acquired conditions,” as well as the increased adoption and improved functionality of computerized physician order entry systems and millions of averted patient harms.
Notable for Lakeland Health is that of 79 hospitals graded in Michigan, only 25 earned an “A,” including the regional medical center in St. Joseph. That grade is the highest letter grade, which The Leapfrog Group suggests “showcases a dedication to safe care.” St. Joe, therefore, maintains the “A” grade earned in the fall of last year. Lakeland Niles was given a “B” grade on this go-round, falling slightly from the “A” they earned last fall. Both facilities however have improved from a year ago when they were given “C” grades.
Bret Jackson is President of the Economic Alliance for Michigan. He says, “The EAM and our members applaud the 25 hospitals in Michigan earning an ‘A’ grade,” adding, “Employers and patients should make note of which hospitals provide higher patient safety since it leads to lower health care costs.”
Here are some Spring 2017 Safety Grade highlights from the study:
- Along with the 25 hospitals in Michigan earning an “A”, 20 earned a “B”, 31 earned a “C” and 3 earned a “D.”
- Michigan falls in state rankings from 19th in Fall 2016 to 25th in Spring 2017.
- Of the 2,639 hospitals rated throughout the nation, 823 earn an “A”, 706 earn a “B”, 933 earned a “C”, 167 earned a “D” and 10 actually earned an “F.”
Leah Binder is President & CEO of The Leapfrog Group. She says, “Since the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade launch in 2012, our mission has been to increase awareness of hospital safety concerns among consumers, as well as light a fire under hospitals and community leaders to be champions for change. The EAM has proven its dedication to improving patient safety through its ongoing work with local hospitals.” Binder adds, “We commend every individual who has contributed to ensure patients in Michigan receive safe care.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
For more information about the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade or to view the list of state rankings, you can click the link below:
Founded in 1982, the EAM is comprised of businesses and unions working together with one clear objective – continued growth of Michigan’s economy by inspiring job growth and the bid to strengthen Michigan’s competitiveness for attracting companies and talent. A main objective of the EAM is bringing attention to lawmakers and the public about the rising health care costs and its effect on the economy. The EAM is the Michigan Regional Leader for 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 collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions.
