Spectrum Health United Hospital Praised for Safety Practices

Earns "A" Grade in Spring 2017 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Guide

Greenville, MI – April 12, 2017 – Spectrum Health United Hospital is pleased to announce it received an “A” rating from The Leapfrog Group for hospital safety again this year.

The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization committed to driving quality, safety and transparency in the U.S. health care system, today released new Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, which assign A, B, C, D and F letter grades to hospitals nationwide. Spectrum Health United Hospital was one of 823 hospitals to receive an “A” for its commitment to reducing errors, infections and accidents that could potentially harm patients.

“Receiving an ‘A’ rating again this year demonstrates how we have embedded safety and quality in every process of care at Spectrum Health United Hospital”, said Andrea Leslie, President. “Our sustained efforts to provide an exceptional experience while keeping the patient (and their family) at the center of care, continues to be a top priority and we are honored to receive the highest Leapfrog Award.”

Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Kelsey Hospital received a Top Rural Hospital award in 2016, but is not eligible for a Leapfrog grade rating as a Critical Access Hospital.

“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. “That takes commitment from every member of the hospital staff, who all deserve thanks and congratulations when their hospitals achieve an “A” Safety Grade.”

To see Spectrum Health United Hospital’s full grade, and to access consumer-friendly patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org or follow the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade on Twitter or Facebook. Consumers can also download the free Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

About Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 12 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; about 180 ambulatory and service sites; about 3,200 physicians and advanced practice providers, including about 1,400 members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a health plan with about 791,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer, with 25,300 employees. The organization provided more than $326 million in community benefit during its 2016 fiscal year. Spectrum Health was named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems—and in the top five among the largest health systems—by Truven Health Analytics™ for 2016. This is the fifth time the organization has received this recognition.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

Contact:
Kelly Johnson
Communications Specialist
Office: 616.225.6419
Mobile: 616.550.7358
Email: KellyL.Johnson@spectrumhealth.org