Jefferson Health Hospitals Achieve Top Safety Grades

Several hospitals in the Jefferson Health network received top safety grades for their commitment to patient care.

News Summary

Several hospitals within the Jefferson Health network have received outstanding ratings in the latest Hospital Safety Grades by the Leapfrog Group. Hospitals such as Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson Washington Township Hospital achieved an ‘A’ grade, a reflection of their commitment to patient safety and quality care. Notably, Jefferson Washington Township Hospital has maintained an ‘A’ grade for six consecutive evaluations, highlighting the continuous dedication to improving healthcare standards in the region. This assessment indicates an overall increase in hospital safety grades within the Philadelphia area.

Philadelphia, PA

Several hospitals within the Jefferson Health network, along with select facilities from Lehigh Valley Health Network, have received top marks in the latest Hospital Safety Grades issued by the Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization. Among those, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, Jefferson Methodist Hospital, Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital, Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, and Jefferson Washington Township Hospital each secured an A Hospital Safety Grade.

Notably, Jefferson Washington Township Hospital achieved an A grade for the sixth consecutive evaluation period, while Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital has maintained its A grade for eight cycles. Additionally, Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hecktown Oaks has held an A grade for four consecutive cycles, and Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono earned an A grade for the third time in a row.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assesses hospitals based on over 30 specific measures related to the prevention of medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections that can result in significant harm to patients. The grading takes place biannually, with updates published in the spring and fall.

While a total of 20 hospitals in the Philadelphia area received an A grade in this evaluation period, an increase from 17 in the previous rating, several facilities from Jefferson Health were assigned a grade of B. These include Jefferson Stratford Hospital, Jefferson Abington Hospital, Jefferson Bucks Hospital, Jefferson Lansdale Hospital, and Jefferson Torresdale Hospital. The Lehigh Valley Health network’s hospitals, including Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton, and Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg also received B grades.

The Leapfrog Group’s grading methodology emphasizes a thorough review of reported safety metrics, focusing on infection rates and preventable errors. Data is primarily derived from reports submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This approach aims to highlight hospitals that prioritize patient safety and are dedicated to ongoing improvements.

In the latest evaluation, St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY, earned its 10th consecutive A grade, underscoring its recognized excellence across four Centers of Excellence and its numerous certifications from The Joint Commission.

However, not all hospitals fared well in this latest assessment. Temple University’s Chestnut Hill Hospital saw a significant downgrade from a C to a D grade, attributed to a rise in hospital-acquired infections and complications. Additionally, Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital have faced persistent challenges, receiving D grades for six consecutive cycles and are currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. In contrast, Penn Medicine’s hospitals maintained their C ratings after experiencing downgrades in the prior report due to changes in data reporting methodologies.

This recent round of evaluations by the Leapfrog group serves as a reminder of the critical need for continuous improvement in patient safety among healthcare providers. By recognizing hospitals with high safety grades and encouraging all facilities to strive for excellence, the Leapfrog Group aims to ensure that patient care remains a top priority for all health systems.

The recognition received by Jefferson Health hospitals reflects a continuous commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care, as highlighted by Baligh R. Yehia, MD, president of Jefferson Health. This dedication is vital in enhancing the safety and well-being of patients across the healthcare landscape.