Writer: Eleana Teran
2 min read November 2023 — North Carolina has been recognized for its top-tier hospital safety, ranking third nationwide according to The Leapfrog Group’s latest report. This achievement reflects the state’s dedication to healthcare excellence, particularly in light of the improved measures following the pandemic.
Steve Lawler, president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association, spoke to Invest: about this progress. He said, “We’ve moved up to number three in the nation for quality and patient safety, improving from sixth place last year. This achievement reflects the commitment of our hospitals and health systems, especially in the Triangle, to provide top-notch care. Although being ranked third in the nation is an achievement, our goal is to be number one.”
The Leapfrog Group, renowned for its independent, non-profit efforts in patient safety, has recently released its fall 2023 Hospital Safety Grades. These grades, assigned to nearly 3,000 general hospitals across the U.S., gauge their proficiency in preventing medical mishaps such as errors, accidents, and infections.
North Carolina’s ascension in the safety rankings is noteworthy, climbing from seventh place in fall 2022 to the third spot in fall 2023, underscoring the state’s consistent efforts in enhancing hospital safety standards.
In Charlotte, the commitment to healthcare excellence is palpable, with 10 area hospitals receiving “A” grades. These include Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord, Atrium Health Mercy in Charlotte, Atrium Health Pineville in Charlotte, Atrium Health Union in Monroe, Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center in Huntersville, Novant Health Matthews Medical Center in Matthews, Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center in Charlotte, and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte. Additionally, Atrium Health University City received a “B” grade.
The Leapfrog grading system includes 30 criteria focusing on error prevention, injury avoidance, and infection control. Additionally, the ratings take into account five vital measures of the patient experience, which directly correlate with safety outcomes. This includes communication between nurses and doctors, staff responsiveness, communication about medications, and discharge instructions.
Despite these advances, Leapfrog’s report highlights a national decline in patient experience scores, particularly in medication communication and staff responsiveness. This trend, linked to avoidable medical errors, requires continuous vigilance and innovation in hospital patient care practices.
The region’s performance in hospital safety, as highlighted in the recent report, is a testament to North Carolina’s commitment to healthcare excellence. The state’s rise in rankings to third nationwide showcases the significant improvements made in patient safety and care standards.
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