UVA Health’s community medical centers in Culpeper, Haymarket, and Prince William were acknowledged today for their exceptional adherence to safety standards, earning top-notch ‘A’ grades from The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grade report. Such high recognition is only achieved by fewer than 30% of hospitals across the United States and is testament to the unwavering commitment of the medical staff at these facilities towards patient safety and quality care.
Specifically, this is the 13th consecutive ‘A’ recognition for UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center and UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, and the third for UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center. According to Erik Shannon, the CEO of UVA Health’s community medical centers and clinics in northern Virginia and Culpeper, these accomplishments are indicative of the commitment of the healthcare team to meet the needs of their communities and place patient safety at the forefront.
As an integral part of UVA Health’s 10-year strategic plan, quality and patient safety guide their collective efforts towards enhancing the patient experience. Aiming for a culture of continuous improvement and safety, UVA Health is constantly working towards maintaining the highest care standards for everyone. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a rigorous grading system by Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization. It rates hospitals across the country based on over thirty performance measures such as errors, accidents, injuries, infections, in addition to the preventive systems that hospitals have in place to avoid harm.
A grade of ‘A’ is awarded to those healthcare facilities that considerably excel in safeguarding patient health and improving patient outcomes using twenty-two evidence-based measures. The Leapfrog Group CEO Leah Binder also highlighted the significance of achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade. She commended the leadership, clinical staff, employees, and volunteers at each of these medical centers for their exceptional commitment to prioritizing patient care.
Apart from Leapfrog recognition, all three UVA Health community medical centers are also accredited by The Joint Commission, requiring a comprehensive triennial review of hospital safety and quality practices, including general care practices and outcomes. This is indicative of the constant focus maintained by these medical centers on ensuring high safety and quality standards. A striking example is the Haymarket Medical Center, which has reported zero Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) since its launch in 2014.
This unique feat underscores the commitment to excellence in infection prevention and dedication of clinical staff towards implementing best practices for patient care in light of recognition by The Leapfrog Group. Insightful information regarding grade details for these medical centers can be found at HospitalSafetyGrade.org, with additional resources and tips available for patients to ensure their safety during hospital stays.