Flagler Hospital Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ for Hospital Safety by The Leapfrog Group

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., April 29, 2021 – Flagler Health + Flagler Hospital received an “A” grade in the spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Flagler Health + Flagler Hospital’s achievements protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Leapfrog Hospital 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 the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospitals’ prevention of medical errors and other harms to patients in their care.

“To be recognized for our dedication to patient safety in one of the most challenging times in our history is a true testament to our team members,” stated Flagler Health + President and CEO Jason Barrett. “Providing quality – and safe – patient care is our highest priority in any given year, but it is particularly meaningful as our team members have risen to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are honored to be recognized by The Leapfrog Group for our excellence in ensuring the highest level of safety for our patients.”

“An ‘A’ safety grade is an elite designation that your community should be proud of,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “The past year has been extraordinarily difficult for hospitals, but UF Health Flagler Hospital shows us it is possible to keep a laser focus on patients and their safety, no matter what it takes.”

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 2,700 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 learn more about Flagler Health+, visit flaglerhealth.org.

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About Flagler Health+

Flagler Health + is a total care enterprise aimed at advancing the physical, social and economic health of Northeast Florida communities. From working with area schools to address youth behavioral health to bringing a new concept in health villages throughout the region, UF Health St. Johns is building healthier communities. Flagler Health + is an extension of Flagler Hospital, which has a 130-year legacy of caring for the community. Learn more at www.flaglerhealth.org.

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 and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC 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.

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