by Julian Walker
Virginia’s run as one of the top states in the nation for hospital safety scores continues. The Commonwealth is second overall among states in the Fall 2023 Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade state rankings that are based on the share of hospitals in each state that earn “A” grades.
“Providing high-quality, compassionate care focused on patient dignity and safety is central to the mission of hospitals across Virginia,” said Ballad Health Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton, the Chair of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) Board of Directors. “The latest Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade scores showing strong performance on patient safety illustrates the priority Virginia hospitals place on caring for patients.”
Last year, Virginia was second overall in the Fall 2022 rankings and second overall in the Spring 2022 rankings. The Commonwealth has regularly been a high-achieving state in the bi-annual Leapfrog rankings: Virginia was first overall in the Fall 2021 rankings, fourth in Spring 2021, sixth in Fall 2020, third in Fall 2019, second in Spring 2019, third in Fall 2018, and fifth in Spring 2018.
“Our hospital members have been consistently focused on elevating patient safety and working together across organizations to share best practices and lessons learned to support each other on this continuous improvement journey,” added VHHA President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton. “It is gratifying to see that hard work recognized in the Fall 2023 Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade rankings.”
The Hospital Safety Grade program assigns letter grades to nearly 3,000 general acute care hospitals across the nation based on safety data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Leapfrog Group, and other sources. In the latest rankings, 35 of 69 Virginia general acute care hospitals received an “A” grade, placing the Commonwealth second among states in the nation. The list of current “A” rated Virginia hospitals includes these hospitals (an asterisk “*” denotes hospitals that have earned straight “A” grades since 2012):
· Augusta Health
· Carilion New River Valley Medical Center
· Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital
· Centra Southside Community Hospital
· CJW Medical Center – Chippenham Campus (HCA Virginia)
· CJW Medical Center – Johnston-Willis Campus (HCA Virginia)
· Henrico Doctors’ Hospital (HCA Virginia)
· Inova Alexandria Hospital
· Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
· Inova Fairfax Hospital
· Inova Loudoun Hospital*
· Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
· LewisGale Hospital Alleghany (HCA Virginia)
· LewisGale Hospital Montgomery (HCA Virginia)
· LewisGale Hospital Pulaski (HCA Virginia)
· LewisGale Medical Center (HCA Virginia)
· Parham Doctors’ Hospital (HCA Virginia)
· Reston Hospital Center (HCA Virginia)
· Retreat Doctors’ Hospital (HCA Virginia)
· Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg
· Riverside Regional Medical Center
· Riverside Walter Reed Hospital
· Sentara CarePlex Hospital*
· Sentara Leigh Hospital*
· Sentara Obici Hospital
· Sentara Princess Anne Hospital
· Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
· StoneSprings Hospital Center (HCA Virginia)
· University of Virginia Medical Center
· UVA Culpeper Medical Center
· UVA Haymarket Medical Center
· UVA Prince William Medical Center
· VCU Tappahannock Hospital
· Warren Memorial Hospital (Valley Health)
· Winchester Medical Center (Valley Health)
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Julian Walker is the vice president of Communications for the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association.
