Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) has been recognized among the nation’s best when it comes to excellence in keeping patients safe during a hospital stay. The Arlington Heights hospital received the highest distinction of an “A” grading from The LeapFrog Group’s Hospital Safety Score(SM), a first-of-its kind initiative that aims to make hospital safety measures and compliance transparent.
The LeapFrog Group, a national not-for-profit organization that promotes hospital transparency, in early June released its patient safety review of 2,652 hospitals from across the country, with each receiving a letter grade indicating overall performance in safe patient care. Of the 108 acute care hospitals evaluated in Illinois, NCH is among the 49 hospitals to earn the highest mark with the “A” letter grade.
The Hospital Safety Score is a single score product compiled from 26 publicly reported measures of hospital safety data including rates of infection and injury, as well as preventable medical and medication errors.
“I applaud the LeapFrog Group for raising the level of accountability and for empowering consumers with a resource that guides them in making informed decisions when selecting their hospital of preference,” said Bruce K. Crowther, NCH’s President and CEO.
With approximately 400 people dying each year in the United States due to medical errors, and one in four Medicare patients leaving a hospital with a new and potentially-fatal issue, building awareness about a hospital’s performance and the efforts that can reduce likelihood of patient harm is important as ever before.
“At NCH, we’re strongly committed to the safety and well-being of each patient who enters our doors, whether they’re here for an outpatient service or an overnight hospital stay,” said Crowther. “Our staff continually review best practices in safe patient care and have rolled out numerous initiatives and programs aimed to maintain a high level of quality and patient safety.”
For additional information and scores from Hospital Safety Score, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.