How safe is your hospital?

Approximately 400 people die every day because of hospital errors – the equivalent of a jet crashing every day and killing all aboard. In response to this silent epidemic, more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals will now receive an A, B, C, D or F Hospital Safety Score based on patient safety via a first-of-its-kind initiative.

A Blue Ribbon Panel of the nation’s top patient safety experts provided guidance to The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits, to develop the Hospital Safety Score. The Hospital Safety Score is calculated using publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections.

NBCH member coalitions make up the majority of the Regional Roll-Out Leaders for Leapfrog.

Coalitions will use the Hospital Safety Score in their communities to work with employers and other purchaser members on contracting, value-based purchasing, benefits design, and employee educational programs to spur safety improvements in our hospitals.