Jersey City Medical Center has for the fifth consecutive time received an “A” Hospital Safety Score from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit group.
The scores, ranging from “A” to “F,” were calculated under the guidance of a blue ribbon panel of experts using publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. The scores are designed to give the public information they can use to protect themselves and their families when they need to visit a hospital.
Joseph Scott, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jersey City Medical Center said, “Safety is our first pillar and this score reflects the gold standard for comparing the hospital’s performance on many standards of safety, quality and efficiency that are most relevant to consumers and purchasers of care.”
Of the more than 2,500 general acute care hospitals in the United States issued a Hospital Safety Score, only about 32 percent received “A” scores. In addition to identifying 26 measures from among the safety measures publicly reported at the national level – such as falls and trauma, central line-associated bloodstream infections, severe pressure ulcers, and preventable complications from surgery – the panel also credited hospitals for having the procedures and protocols in place to prevent infections, errors and accidents. These include strong nursing leadership and engagement, hand hygiene practices, computerized physician order entry systems, adherence to medical and medication protocols, safety first organizational leadership and culture, and the proper ICU staffing.
“Scoring a top grade for the fifth consecutive time speaks to our focus on safety, quality and efficiency, those areas that are most relevant to our patients and their families,” said Brenda Hall, Senior Vice-President, Patient Safety/Quality Management & Regulatory Affairs at Jersey City Medical Center.
Jersey City Medical Center has previously been recognized as the best hospital for its size in New Jersey by Castle Connolly and has appeared on such lists as 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare by both Becker’s Hospital Review and Modern Healthcare Magazine.
The Hospital Safety Score website is available at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.