This SLO County hospital is among the safest in the US, new report says. Here’s why
Two Central Coast hospitals are among the nation’s safest, according to The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization that evaluates patient safety and care.
The group releases Hospital Safety Grade reports twice a year for nearly 3,000 general hospitals across the United States.
These grades are based on several critical factors, including rates of preventable errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
In its fall 2024 report, the organization graded health care facilities around the nation on a scale from A to F, with A representing the highest level of safety and F the lowest.
Out of five hospitals on the Central Coast, two received A grades in the report.
Here’s which ones scored the highest:
What are the safest hospitals on the Central Coast?
Two health care facilities on the Central Coast were awarded A grades by The Leapfrog Group.
French Hospital Medical Center, 1911 Johnson Ave. in San Luis Obispo, was rated the safest hospital in San Luis Obispo County.
It earned high scores for handling problems arising during surgery, having effective practices to prevent medical errors and employing responsive and communicative hospital staff.
It was French Hospital’s 29th consecutive time earning an A grade, dating back to 2012, according to a hospital news release.
“This commitment to patient safety makes us a leader in health care excellence, and I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved,” Sue Andersen, president and CEO of French Hospital, said in the release.
Marian Regional Medical Center, 1400 E. Church St. in Santa Maria, also received the highest grade possible for patient safety and care practices.
The hospital in northern Santa Barbara County secured top marks for having effective practices and leadership to prevent medical errors, as well as employing specially-trained doctors to care for patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
It scored better than average in terms of preventing infections and dealing with health complications and potentially harmful events.
Both hospitals are owned and operated by Dignity Health Central Coast.
Which grades did other SLO County hospitals receive?
Here’s how The Leapfrog Group graded other San Luis Obispo County hospitals:
B grade
- Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, 345 S. Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande
C grades
Adventist Health Sierra Vista, 1010 Murray Ave., San Luis Obispo
Adventist Health Twin Cities, 1100 Las Tablas Road, Templeton
How did The Leapfrog Group grade health care facilities?
The Leapfrog Group grades health care facilities on a scale from A to F based on their “overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors.”
According to the group, these grades are calculated using up to 30 national performance measures sourced from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, The Leapfrog Hospital Survey and other data sources.
Under the guidance of a panel of patient safety experts, The Leapfrog Group selected about two dozen evidence-based measures, grouped into five key categories, to determine its scoring methodology.
Those categories are:
- Infections
- Problems with surgery
- Safety problems
- Practices to prevent errors
- Doctors, nurses and hospital staff
