Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Continues Straight “A” Safety Streak

SARASOTA (Nov. 15, 2024) - Both Sarasota Memorial Hospital campuses received top marks for how well they prevent medical errors, accidents and infections, according to The Leapfrog Group's Fall 2024 Hospital Safety Report Cards released today.

It is the latest in a string of straight A's for Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's flagship SMH-Sarasota campus and its newer SMH-Venice campus, which opened in November 2021.

Issued in the spring and fall of each year, the hospital safety grades are based on Leapfrog's hospital survey data and up to 30 publicly reported patient safety outcomes and measures obtained from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The SMH-Sarasota team continued the straight "A" record it has held since 2016, while the SMH-Venice team earned its second A grade this fall after receiving an A grade in its first reporting period this spring. (Hospitals must be open for two years before Leapfrog begins assigning them safety grades).

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System CEO David Verinder commended both campus teams for setting the benchmark for high caliber care on the Suncoast. The safety recognition follows a series of repeat awards SMH's two hospitals received from U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and other independent quality rating organizations.

"Despite a volley of challenges that have impacted our state, health system and team members in recent years, our physicians, staff, volunteers and leaders continue to demonstrate their deep connection and commitment to our community. We cannot thank them enough for all that they do to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients," Verinder said.

In this fall's grading period, Leapfrog assessed and assigned letter grades to nearly 3,000 hospitals. The not-for-profit organization noted that its twice annual Hospital Safety Grades are the only hospital ratings based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients.

"Strong health care teams reduce infection rates, put checks in place to prevent mistakes, and ensure strong lines of communication between hospital staff, patients, and families," Leapfrog stated in its 2024 update. "That means that it's critically important that you choose a hospital with a good track record on keeping its patients safe from harm."

To view the Fall 2024 results, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida's greatest breadth and depth of care, with nearly 2 million patient visits each year across its 2 hospital campuses, inpatient rehabilitation facility, skilled nursing center and network of outpatient and urgent care centers. Among other accolades in 2024, Newsweek recognized SMH-Sarasota among the "World's Best Hospitals," while U.S. News ranked it among the nation's 50 "Best Hospitals" for Rehabilitation and among the nation's highest performers for 23 other types of care. For information, visit smh.com.