EvergreenHealth Earns "A" for Patient Safety from The Leapfrog Group

KIRKLAND, Wash., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- EvergreenHealth has renewed its "A" grade safety rating from The Leapfrog Group, which places the Kirkland-based hospital among the top-performing medical centers in the nation for its patient-safety standards.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization and advocate for hospital transparency, just renewed its hospital safety standings based on the latest public data used to evaluate patient safety.  The organization assigns letter grades from A to F to hospitals throughout the country for their safety.

"We hold our commitment to absolute patient safety as one of our highest priorities as healthcare providers," said EvergreenHealth CEO Bob Malte. "This renewed recognition acknowledges the effort of our providers, nurses, staff and volunteers who carry out that commitment through every aspect of their work. We're proud to share these top marks with them today."

The Leapfrog Group calculates Hospital Safety Scores by evaluating publicly available safety data that details how often a hospital gives patients recommended treatment for a given medical condition or procedure, and considers the environment in which patients receive care. Hospital Safety Scores also take patient outcomes into account in determining final marks. Scores are compiled under the guidance of the nation's leading experts on patient safety and are intended to empower patients with information to objectively evaluate local hospitals and make health care decisions for themselves and their families.

"Earning an 'A' on the Hospital Safety Score demonstrates that this hospital has exhibited excellence in our national database of patient safety measures," said Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "I'd like to congratulate EvergreenHealth for their achievements and encourage all involved to continue to put a priority on the safety of your patients."

Additionally, Seattle-based Virginia Mason Medical Center, with which EvergreenHealth has a strategic partnership, also received an "A" in the respected Hospital Safety Score program.  To compare EvergreenHealth's and Virginia Mason's scores locally and nationally, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.

To learn more about EvergreenHealth, visit www.evergreenhealth.com or call the 24-hour Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425.899.3000. 

About EvergreenHealth

EvergreenHealth, a public hospital district and community-based healthcare organization established in 1972, offers a breadth of services and programs that is among the most comprehensive in the region. More than 950 physicians provide clinical excellence within more than 80 specialties, including cardiac, oncology, surgical care, orthopedics, a neuroscience institute, women's and children's services, hospice care, pulmonary care, a sleep disorders center and home care services.  EvergreenHealth serves more than 400,000 residents in its primary service area of northern King and southern Snohomish counties with EvergreenHealth Primary Care, a network of primary and urgent care practices, and its main hospital campus in Kirkland, Wash. EvergreenHealth also provides emergency care at two sites; its main hospital campus and the EvergreenHealth Redmond Medical Center.  In addition to clinical care, EvergreenHealth offers extensive community health outreach and education programs, anchored by EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator & Healthline, a 24/7 nurse consultation service. For more information, visit www.evergreenhealth.com.

About The Leapfrog Group

The Leapfrog Group (www.leapfroggroup.org) is a national nonprofit organization using the collective leverage of large purchasers of health care to initiate breakthrough improvements in the safety, quality, and affordability of health care for Americans. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey allows purchasers to structure their contracts and purchasing to reward the highest performing hospitals. The Leapfrog Group was founded in November 2000 with support from the Business Roundtable and national funders, and is now independently operated with support from its purchaser and other members.

CONTACTS:

Kay Taylor
Vice President, Marketing, Communications & PR
EvergreenHealth
425.899.2604
[email protected]

Kristi Clough
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
[email protected]

SOURCE EvergreenHealth