Five of WellSpan Health’s hospitals have received “A” safety grades for spring 2022 from The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers widely acknowledged as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.
WellSpan York Hospital, WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital, and WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital all received the “A” safety grades.
“Being a trusted partner for our patients means providing a level of care that exceeds their expectations every time. Our patients and their loved ones know that when they walk into a WellSpan Health facility, they will receive exceptional, affordable, and safe care,” said Eugenia Powell, vice president, quality and patient safety at WellSpan Health. “These safety grades drive home the fact that the safety of our patients is a top priority.”
The safety grades are issued twice a year. Four of the five hospitals received A’s during the last grading period in fall 2021. This marks the first time that WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital has received the A grade.
“Receiving an ‘A’ safety grade from the Leapfrog Group is a testament to each of the hard-working team members at this hospital and the effort they put forth every day,” said Patty Donley, president of WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital and vice president, WellSpan Health. “We want our patients to feel confident they are receiving the safest care, which is why every team member at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital works as one to provide the level of care worthy of this recognition.”
The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
“As our health care system continues to feel the strain of the pandemic, I thank the workforce and leadership of WellSpan Health for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is an outstanding achievement, and one that is not possible without a 24/7 effort by the entire health care workforce to protect patients from harm. This community should be proud.”
WellSpan’s remaining eligible hospital, WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital earned a “B” grade for Spring 2022.
For more information on how WellSpan demonstrates its commitment to quality and safety, visit www.WellSpan.org/Quality.
