Spectrum Health United Hospital Recognized with an ‘A’ for Safety

November 10, 2021

GREENVILLE, Mich., November 10, 2021 – Spectrum Health United Hospital was awarded an ‘A’ in the fall 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade a national distinction recognizing the hospital’s achievements protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care.

This is the 11th consecutive “A” grade for United Hospital dating back to 2016.

“We’re very excited with this continued distinction that validates our team’s good work,” said Andrea Leslie, president of Spectrum Health United, Kelsey, Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals. “With the challenges COVID-19 has brought, patient safety is more important than ever.”

United Hospital was one of three Spectrum Health West Michigan hospitals that were awarded “A” grades this fall by Leapfrog. Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital and Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital were also recognized for providing safer care.

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is based on a hospital’s performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

“An ‘A’ safety grade is a tremendous achievement, of which this community should be extremely proud,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I thank the leadership and workforce of United Hospital for its commitment to prioritizing patients and their safety, especially during these trying times.”

Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

To see United Hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.

About Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides care and coverage, comprising 31,000+ team members, 14 hospitals (including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital), a robust network of care facilities, teams of nationally recognized doctors and providers, and the nation’s third-largest provider-sponsored health plan, Priority Health, currently serving over 1 million members across the state of Michigan.

People are at the heart of everything we do. Locally governed and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we are focused on our mission: to improve health, inspire hope and save lives. Spectrum Health has a legacy of strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Through experience, innovation and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness.

Contact:
John Norton
Corporate Communications Manager
Office: 231.592.4387
Mobile: 231.580.1079
Email: john.norton@corewellhealth.org