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

Significant Progress in Patient Safety Across the Nation

The Leapfrog Group has recently published its Spring 2026 Hospital Safety Grades, showcasing noteworthy improvements in patient safety standards across the United States. This biannual assessment provides grades ranging from 'A' to 'F', evaluating the safety measures adopted by general hospitals to protect patients from various risks including medical errors, accidents, and infections.

According to Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, hospitals nationwide are making significant advancements in safety protocols, leading to a profound impact on patient care. "The good news is that hospitals across the country are making meaningful strides in patient safety and helping save countless lives,” she stated.

National Improvements in Safety Measures

National data highlights a commendable turnaround in 17 specific measures related to errors and infections. Key metrics reflect considerable declines in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and improved medication safety practices:

• - Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) decreased by 50%.
• - Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) decreased by 45%.
• - Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) rates saw a 42% reduction.
• - Clostridium Difficile infections decreased by 30%.

Advances in Medication Safety

Another crucial area highlighted by the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades is medication safety. Medication errors, which have plagued hospitals, are being addressed through innovative solutions. The Leapfrog Group has closely monitored how hospitals utilize computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems and bar code medication administration (BCMA) to minimize potential prescription errors:

• - By 2025, 90% of hospitals met the CPOE standard, a significant increase from 66% in 2018.
• - Similarly, the implementation of BCMA systems rose dramatically to 93% from 47% over the same period.

Patient Experience Insights

Besides safety metrics, patient experience remains a pivotal factor in evaluating hospital quality. Utilizing the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, Leapfrog measures patients' perspectives on care, with improvements noted in crucial areas such as nurse communication and staff responsiveness. Notably, patient experience scores, which were notably low in fall 2023, have increased, suggesting a positive shift in hospital care delivery.

State Performance Rankings

The Spring 2026 Hospital Safety Grades also shed light on state-level performances, revealing states with the highest percentage of 'A' graded hospitals:

• - Connecticut
• - Virginia
• - South Carolina
• - Utah
• - Montana
• - New Jersey
• - Florida
• - Maryland
• - North Carolina
• - California

For the first time, Montana has joined the top five states for hospital safety, while Florida and Maryland have also made significant progress, climbing into the top ten. Interestingly, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming did not have any 'A' rated hospitals this grading cycle.

Insights on Non-Participating Hospitals

However, the Leapfrog Group also faced challenges in this grading cycle. A federal court ruling in South Florida has impacted 450 hospitals that did not participate in the 2024 or 2025 survey, resulting in their classification as 'Grade Not Assigned.' Though originally applicable to five hospitals, Leapfrog opted for a uniform approach across the board. They remain dedicated to enhancing the Safety Grades system and are seeking to review their grading methodology in consultation with their National Expert Panel.

About The Leapfrog Group

The Leapfrog Group was founded in 2000 by a coalition of large employers and health purchasers. Its mission is to drive improvements in patient safety through transparency and accountability. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade remains the only national program focused specifically on healthcare provider safety. It is freely accessible to the public and updated biannually, allowing consumers to make informed choices about their healthcare based on safety records. For more information, including to look up individual hospitals' grades, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.