SMH Receives Straight A’s for Patient Safety

Hospital safety report cards were released today, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital continued its straight-A streak for keeping patients safe from medical errors, infections, accidents and other harm to patients in their care.

The Leapfrog Group assigns hospitals across 
the nation A, B, C, D or F safety grades in the spring and fall of each year based on hospital performance on 28 publicly reported quality 
and safety data. The safety grades are designed to help patients quickly assess and choose the safest local hospitals to seek care.

Of more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals graded in the Spring 2020 report card, 33% earned an A, 25% earned a B, 34 % earned a C, 7% a D and less than 1% received an F. Sarasota Memorial has earned straight A’s since it began participating in Leapfrog’s voluntary hospital safety survey in 2016.

“As the nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Sarasota Memorial Hospital. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.”

SMH CEO David Verinder attributed the high marks to the dedication and diligence of the entire team. “Our highest priority now and always is the safety of our patients, staff and the community we serve.”

According to a Spring 2019 study on the Hospital Safety Grade, researchers said more than 50,000 lives would have been saved if all hospitals had an avoidable death rate equivalent to A hospitals, noting that when compared to A hospitals:

•   Patients at D and F hospitals face a 92% greater risk of avoidable death

•   Patients at C hospitals on average face an 88% greater risk of avoidable death

•  Patients at B hospitals on average face a 35% greater risk of avoidable death

To access Leapfrog’s full results, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.