#United States #Washington #Leapfrog Group #Patient Care #Hospital Safety

Leapfrog Group's Fall 2025 Hospital Safety Grades

The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization, recently announced the release of its Fall 2025 Hospital Safety Grades. Conducted biannually, the Safety Grades provide critical assessments of hospitals based on their ability to mitigate medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, which are unfortunately prevalent in the healthcare setting. Specifically, these issues affect one in every four inpatients and contribute to approximately 250,000 deaths annually in the United States.

Understanding the Safety Grades

The Safety Grades are categorized into five distinct ratings: A, B, C, D, and F. These ratings help the public navigate hospital safety, aiming to improve overall healthcare quality through transparency and information sharing. Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, emphasized the mission of the organization to enhance American healthcare by exposing the realities of patient safety.

This year marks a significant milestone as the Leapfrog Group incorporates an analysis of health system consolidation impacts on patient safety. According to recent findings, nearly 90% of hospitals with a current Safety Grade are affiliated with a health system.

The Role of Health Systems in Hospital Safety

Among hospitals graded with an 'A,' the likelihood of being part of a health system is even higher, reaching 94%. This suggests that hospital networks, or health systems, may play a pivotal role in fostering safer patient care environments. A striking figure from the research reveals that all eleven hospitals earning an 'A' consistently since 2012 are affiliates of health systems, illustrating the influence that organizational structure can have on patient outcomes.

State Rankings Highlight Hospital Performance

Each grading period, Leapfrog compiles state rankings based on the proportion of hospitals achieving an 'A' grade. Notable findings from the Fall 2025 rankings showcase the top five states with the highest percentages of 'A' hospitals:

• - Utah
• - Virginia
• - New Jersey
• - Connecticut
• - North Carolina

Utah continues to distinguish itself as a leader, maintaining the number one position for the fifth consecutive grading round. Conversely, Iowa, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming reported no hospitals earning an 'A' this period, underscoring discrepancies in healthcare quality across the country.

For detailed rankings and more information, the public can visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.

Conclusion: Emphasizing Hospital Safety

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade program stands out as the only initiative dedicated solely to evaluating hospital safety related to errors, accidents, and infections. Through rigorous, peer-reviewed methodologies curated by patient safety experts, the Leapfrog Group continues to offer a transparent and independent evaluation of hospital safety. With its 25-year history of advocating for improved healthcare standards, the Leapfrog Group remains a pivotal player in driving awareness and advancements in patient safety initiatives across the nation.

For continued updates, individuals can follow the Leapfrog Group on various social media platforms such as X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, or subscribe to their newsletter for more information regarding safety grades and hospital performance.