The nonprofit Leapfrog Group has released updated hospital safety scores for U.S. hospitals. Under the system, hospitals are given A, B, C, D or F scores based on preventable medical errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Among the findings:
- Of the 2,618 general hospitals issued a Hospital Safety Score, 790 earned an "A," 678 earned a "B," 1004 earned a "C," 121 earned a "D," and 25 earned an "F."
- 58 percent of hospitals maintained the same grade level as they had in previous scores issued in June, while 34 percent changed by one grade level (higher or lower), and 8 percent moved two grade levels or more
- No one class of hospitals (such as teaching or public hospitals) dominated among those showing the highest safety scores.
- Hospitals with "A" scores included those with multiple national accolades, as well as institutions that serve highly vulnerable, impoverished, or health-challenged populations.