Virginia Continues Multi-Year Trend of Being Ranked a Top State for Hospital Patient Safety

Virginia Hospitals Earn Top Marks for Patient Safety in National Ranking

November 18, 2024

The Fall 2024 Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grades Ranks Virginia Second Overall Among States; 57.7 Percent of Virginia Hospitals Earned "A" Grades

RICHMOND, VA - Virginia is once again being recognized as one of the top states in the nation for hospital safety scores. The Commonwealth is second overall among states in the Fall 2024 LeapFrog Group Hospital Safety Grade state rankings that are based on the share of hospitals in each state that earn "A" grades. In all, 57.7% of Virginia hospitals received an "A" grade.

"Virginia hospitals prioritize creating organizational cultures that elevate safety for patients, staff, and visitors," said VCU Health Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President Michael Elliott, Chair of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association's (VHHA) Board of Directors. "That mentality is central to our work of delivering compassionate care to all the people who entrust us with their well-being. Virginia's strong performance in the Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade rankings validates that work and reinforces our resolve to continue focusing on health care quality and safety improvement."

In addition to the Fall 2024 rankings, Virginia was also ranked second overall earlier this year in the Spring 2024 rankings, as well as in the Fall 2023 rankings, Fall 2022 rankings, and in the Spring 2022 rankings. The Commonwealth has consistently been a high-achieving state in the bi-annual Leapfrog rankings: Virginia was first overall in the Fall 2021 rankings, fourth in Spring 2021, sixth in Fall 2020, third in Fall 2019, second in Spring 2019, third in Fall 2018, and fifth in Spring 2018.

"The latest Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade rankings affirm that hospitals and health systems across the Commonwealth are champions for patient safety," added VHHA President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton. "Virginia is home to many top performing hospitals, including three that have claimed straight 'A' grades since 2012, which is a significant accomplishment as only 12 hospitals nationwide have earned that distinction."

The Hospital Safety Grade program assigns letter grades to nearly 3,000 general acute care hospitals across the nation based on safety data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Leapfrog Group, and other sources. In the latest rankings, 39 of 69 Virginia general acute care hospitals received an "A" grade, placing the Commonwealth second among states in the nation. The list of current "A" rated Virginia hospitals includes these hospitals (an asterisk "*" denotes hospitals that have earned straight "A" grades since 2012):

About VHHA: The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is an alliance of 111 hospitals and 26 health delivery systems that develops and advocates for sound health care policy in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to achieve excellence in both health care and health to make Virginia the healthiest state in the nation. Its vision is through collaboration with members and stakeholders, to ensure the sustainability of Virginia's health care system, transform the delivery of care to promote lower costs and high value across the continuum of care, and to improve health for all Virginians. Connect with VHHA through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Julian Walker
Vice President of Communications
(804) 297-3193 office
(804) 304-7402 mobile
[email protected]