North Bay hospitals score high in safety

The Leapfrog Group has come out with its bi-annual Hospital Safety Grade, and several North Bay hospitals have received the highest mark.

Those with rating of 'A' include Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Santa Rosa, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital, and Petaluma Valley Hospital, Marin General Hospital, Novato Community Hospital, and Kaiser Foundation Hospital in San Rafael. Ukiah Valley Medical Center also received an 'A' rating, as did Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Vacaville.

'Hospitals that earn top marks nationally in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade have achieved the highest safety standards in the country,' said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, in a statement. 'That takes commitment from every member of the hospital staff, who all deserve thanks and congratulations when their hospitals achieve an 'A' safety grade.'

Leapfrog is a nonprofit organization that collects, analyzes and disseminates hospital performance data. The Leapfrog Group calculates a safety grade for approximately 2,600 general, acute-care hospitals for which there is sufficient publicly available data. Just 823 hospitals in the nation received an 'A' for commitment to reducing errors, infections and accidents that can harm patients.

Marin General Hospital has received an 'A' grade for five of the last seven grading periods.

'The entire Marin General Hospital community is steadfastly dedicated to providing patients with the utmost in care and safety,' said Joel Sklar, M.D., chief medical officer at Marin General Hospital, in a statement. 'To be recognized with an 'A' for patient safety by the Leapfrog Group places us in the top 30 percent of all hospitals nationwide in terms of patient safety and is a testament to the teamwork and tireless efforts of the men and women of Marin General Hospital, their ongoing commitment to the patients they serve, and the outstanding level of care they deliver day in and day out.'

Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital received a 'B,' as did Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa.

California ranked 28 in the nation for most hospitals with 'A' ratings, with 68 out of 271 hospitals scored, or 25 percent.

See the complete list at hospitalsafetygrade.org.

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