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Illinois Spring Leapfrog Hospital Patient Safety Grades Announced

By MBGH Information posted 05-03-2023 01:37 AM

  

Data reveals the average risk of three of the most harmful healthcare-associated infections spiked
to a 5-year high during COVID-19 pandemic

CHICAGO – May 3, 2023 – The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization representing the nation’s most influential employers and purchasers of health care, driven in Illinois by the Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH), announced the spring 2023 Leapfrog Hospital Safety GradesIn Illinois, 111 hospitals were graded, and 29 earned an A, 30 a B, 44 a C, seven a D and one an F.

Hospitals earn a letter grade reflecting how well they protect patients from medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections – preventable events that kill an estimated 250,000 Americans every year and harm millions more.

MBGH, a non-profit organization representing employer purchasers of health care, and the Leapfrog Group’s Illinois Regional Leader,* annually encourages hospitals statewide to participate in Leapfrog’s online patient safety survey.

The hospitals that have consistently earned an A in Illinois since 2012 are Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and University of Chicago Medical Center.

For the first time, data in Hospital Safety Grades incorporate hospital performance during the height of the pandemic, 2020-2022. The average risk of three of the most harmful healthcare-associated infections – Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections – spiked to a 5-year high in hospitals during this time.

“With the increase in hospital infections during COVID-19, we know Illinois hospitals are recommitting to patient safety, and we all need to reinforce the critical importance of that work,” said Cheryl Larson, MBGH president and CEO. “The Hospital Safety Grades are an important tool for all of us to recognize the safety of patients in our local hospitals.”

“In light of the alarming findings on the increase in healthcare-associated infections, we need the full commitment of hospital leadership to ensure patient safety is a priority,” said Leah Binder, CEO and president of The Leapfrog Group. “COVID-19 undoubtedly strained hospitals and their resources, and we now have the data to show the damage it caused. Despite the pandemic, several hospitals in this community remained steadfast in their commitment to patient safety, and we congratulate those who achieved high grades.”

The Leapfrog Group has a more than 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the US, based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. Updated twice each year, in the spring and the fall, the grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures.


About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.

About the Midwest Business Group on Health

Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit supporting employers seeking solutions to better manage the high cost of health care and the health and productivity of their covered populations. Founded in 1980, MBGH offers members leading educational programs, employer-directed research projects, purchasing opportunities and community-based activities that increase the value of health care services and the health benefits they offer to members. MBGH serves over 150 companies who provide benefits to over 4 million lives, with employer members spending more than $15 billion on health care each year. For additional details visit www.mbgh.org and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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*MBGH is Regional Leader for Illinois except for eight southwest central counties: Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair.

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