The Leapfrog Group’s annual safety report shows Kaiser Permanente hospitals received top scores for limiting patient injuries, reducing medical errors, and preventing infections.

The Leapfrog Group gave 14 Kaiser Permanente hospitals across Northern California a top score of “A” in its annual safety report, which examined and graded more than 2,600 hospitals throughout the United States.

Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Northern California with “A” scores include: Antioch, Fresno, Redwood City, Roseville, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Rafael, Santa Clara, San Leandro, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, South San Francisco, Vallejo, and Walnut Creek. Additionally, Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Fremont, Manteca, Modesto, Oakland, San Jose, and Vacaville received a “B” score.

“The Leapfrog hospital safety score is truly the gold standard in safe patient care. We are proud of this national recognition as it reflects our strong commitment to patient safety,” said Janet Liang, president, Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits, released its Hospital Safety Scores after examining publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections at U.S. hospitals, which were then assigned A, B, C, D, or F grades for their safety records.

“Our physicians, nurses, and staff are committed to putting our members’ and patients’ care and safety at the center of everything we do,” said Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS, CEO and executive director, The Permanente Medical Group. “This recognition reflects our leadership, collaboration, and desire to deliver exceptional, high-quality care to improve health outcomes.”

Nationally, 28 of 39 Kaiser Permanente hospitals, or 74 percent, received an “A” grade, compared to approximately 30 percent of all hospitals graded in the U.S.

The Leapfrog Group is a coalition of public and private purchasers of employee health coverage founded in 2000 to work for improvements in health care safety, quality, and affordability. It is an independent advocacy group working with a broad range of partners, including hospitals and insurers. The Hospital Safety Score, considered the gold standard for rating patient safety in the U.S., is an analysis based on 30 variables, including rates of infections, medication errors, and hospital acquired conditions. It uses data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the American Hospital Association, and its own Leapfrog survey.

To see all hospital scores as they compare nationally and locally, visit the Hospital Safety Score website, which also provides information on how the public can protect themselves and loved ones during a hospital stay.

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