Michigan ranks 36th for percentage of “A” hospitals

NOVI, MICHIGAN Oct. 31, 2017 – The Economic Alliance for Michigan (EAM), a nonprofit group comprised of Michigan’s largest employers and unions, along with The Leapfrog Group, a Washington D.C-based organization aiming to improve health care quality for consumers, employers and purchasers, announced today the October 2017 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, assigning A, B, C, D and F letter grades to general acute-care hospitals in the U.S. based on errors, accidents and infections.

In Michigan, 77 hospitals were graded, and 19 were awarded an “A”, the highest letter grade, demonstrating these hospitals’ dedication to safe care. Those hospitals receiving an “A” are listed below. Other key highlights are:

• Michigan ranks on the bottom half within the country at 36^th for percentage of “A” hospitals.
• Four hospitals have earned straight “A’s” since the inception of Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grades. Those hospitals are: Dickinson County Healthcare System in Iron Mountain, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township, Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson and Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan) in Ann Arbor.
• 70 percent of graded hospitals fell into the “B” and “C” range with 26 hospitals receiving a “B” and 28 receiving a “C.” Four hospitals were graded “D.” There were no “F” grades reported.
• The past three semesters show Michigan trending in a decline for number of “A” grades and increase in “B” grades.

“We applaud the EAM’s continued commitment to improving the safety of patients in local hospitals,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade helps shed light on those hospitals that need improvement, but also celebrates those committed to making their communities safer.”

“On behalf of our members and all residents of Michigan, we are committed to ensuring our hospitals offer the safest care to their patients,” said Bret Jackson, president of EAM. “We thank all the hospitals who show their commitment to improving patient safety by participating in the annual Leapfrog Survey and urge the non-participating hospitals to step-up and get involved.”

Twice per year, more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals are assigned A, B, C, D and F grades by the Leapfrog Group. Of the 2,632 hospitals graded in Fall 2017, 832 earned an “A,” 662 a “B,” 964 a “C,” 159 a “D” and 15 an “F.” The Grades are calculated by top patient safety experts and are peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

For more information about the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade or to view a list of state rankings, please visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.