ARKANSAS, USA — The Leapfrog Group, a United States nonprofit watchdog organization for patient safety, gave Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, and Washington Regional Medical Center A grades for spring 2024.
"Patient safety is an essential part of fulfilling our mission of improving the health of people in communities we serve," Washington Regional President and CEO Larry Shackelford. "Washington Regional is honored to again achieve the highest grade possible. The most recent A grade highlights our team members' commitment to providing high quality, compassionate care for our patients each day."
Mercy's Arkansas hospitals are considered "Straight A" hospitals for earning more than five A grades in a row. The latest grading marks the 16th straight A for the Fort Smith location and the 10th A grade for Mercy Northwest Arkansas.
"Our 'Straight A' status demonstrates that Mercy’s commitment to patient safety is second to none," Mercy Arkansas Communities President said. "Our communities trust us to provide safe, high-quality care, and it’s an honor for us to fulfill those obligations time and again. We are grateful that our co-workers continue to make this possible."
Leapfrog scores general hospitals across the country on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries, infections, and systems in place to prevent the aforementioned ailments. They also look at billing ethics, healthcare equity, medication safety, maternity care, and more.
According to a press release from Mercy, the two hospitals are the only ones in the region given "straight A" status and two of only six hospitals in Arkansas to achieve an A.
"Everyone who works at Mercy in Arkansas should be proud of these A hospital safety grades," Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, said. "It takes complete dedication at every level and an ironclad commitment to putting patients first. I thank Mercy, its leadership, clinicians, staff, and volunteers for caring so deeply for its patients and their safety."
Look up your hospital's Leapfrog grading here.
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