#United States #St. Louis #Mercy #Leapfrog Group #Patient Safety

Mercy Hospitals Achieve Remarkable Patient Safety Recognition

In a significant achievement for the healthcare community, Mercy has garnered an impressive eleven A grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, a leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to healthcare safety. This recognition showcases the commitment of Mercy’s healthcare facilities to delivering safe, high-quality medical care across multiple states.

A Testament to Excellence

This year marks a milestone as Mercy hospitals across four states have been recognized among the 917 hospitals nationwide that received such high marks from Leapfrog. The commitment to patient safety is deeply ingrained in the culture of Mercy, with healthcare professionals consistently striving for excellence in patient care. Kat Nelson, Mercy's Chief Quality Officer, stated, "Earning top safety grades at 11 Mercy hospitals underscores our unwavering commitment to safe, compassionate, high-quality care." This dedication to providing the best possible healthcare outcomes is at the heart of Mercy’s operations.

The Hospitals Recognized

The specific Mercy locations that achieved the esteemed A grade include:

• - Mercy Fort Smith and Mercy Northwest Arkansas in Arkansas
• - Mercy Pittsburg in Kansas
• - Mercy Jefferson, Mercy Lebanon, Mercy Southeast, Mercy St. Louis, and Mercy Washington in Missouri
• - Mercy Ada, Mercy Ardmore, and Mercy Oklahoma City in Oklahoma.

Among these, six hospitals were honored with the prestigious Straight A designation, highlighting their consistent achievements in maintaining high patient safety standards over multiple grading periods. To receive this designation, hospitals must earn an A grade for five consecutive grading periods. The Straight A designees include:

• - Mercy Fort Smith and Mercy Rogers in Arkansas
• - Mercy Pittsburg in Kansas
• - Mercy Washington in Missouri
• - Mercy Ada and Mercy Oklahoma City in Oklahoma.

Leapfrog's Grading System

Leapfrog's rating system uses 32 evidence-based measures to assess patient safety, focusing on critical aspects such as errors, accidents, injuries, and infections. It also takes into account the robust preventive measures that hospitals implement. Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, noted that an A grade signals a strong commitment to protecting patients from harm. She commended the dedication of the leadership, staff, and volunteers who contribute to these exceptional safety ratings.

Notably, three additional Mercy hospitals received B grades from Leapfrog: Mercy Joplin, Mercy South (St. Louis), and Mercy Springfield in Missouri. While these scores are slightly lower, they still reflect significant efforts toward improving patient safety.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the sole program that exclusively focuses on preventable medical errors, infections, and injuries that can lead to severe patient harm. This transparent, peer-reviewed grading system is made freely available to the public, with updates biannually in the fall and spring. Patients can access information about Mercy's safety grades, compare them with competitors, and find tips for safeguarding their health while in the hospital by visiting Leapfrog's website.

About Mercy

Mercy stands as one of the 15 largest healthcare systems in the United States, annually serving millions of patients. Recognized as a top system for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, Mercy operates 55 acute and specialty hospitals, numerous outpatient facilities, and offers healthcare services across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Also making strides in community care, Mercy provided over half a billion dollars in free services and community benefits in the last fiscal year.

About Leapfrog

Founded in 2000, The Leapfrog Group is committed to advancing patient safety through collaboration among large employers and healthcare purchasers. Their Hospital Safety Grade is a vital resource aimed at empowering consumers to make informed choices regarding hospital care based on safety and quality metrics. As patient safety remains paramount in healthcare, the recognition bestowed upon Mercy underscores the positive impact that diligent care and attention can have on patient outcomes.