GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Michigan hospitals are receiving some good news. They're making strides when it comes to patient safety. These are the findings based on an annual ranking released Tuesday, April 24.
Each year, the Economic Alliance for Michigan and the Leapfrog Group grades U.S. hospitals based on errors, accidents, infections and other dangers. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital rating that looks strictly at hospital safety. Each hospital gets an "A" through "F" letter grade.
With medical errors ranking behind heart disease and cancer as the third leading cause of death in the U.S. the rankings are an important tool to safeguard patient care.
Last year, the ranking of Michigan hospitals had dropped to 36th in the nation. But, this year they are moving in the right direction, shooting to 24th in the nation. Twenty-three of the 76 Michigan hospitals graded, received 'A' grades, demonstrating excellence in patient safety.
According a press release, three hospitals have received "straight A's" since the grading system started in 2012.
"They are Dickinson County Healthcare System in Iron Mountain, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township and Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor."
When comparing health systems, the findings suggest Spectrum Health is a leader. Five out of the six Spectrum Health hospitals graded received an "A" for patient safety. They include:
- Spectrum Health - Blodgett Hospital
- Spectrum Health - Butterworth Hospital
- Spectrum Health - United Hospital
- Spectrum Health - Zeeland Community Hospital
- Spectrum Health - Ludington Hospital
Metro Health - University of MI Health, in Wyoming also received an "A" grade, this year.
In the statement issued Tuesday, Bret Jackson the president of EAM said, "Thank you to all the 'A' hospitals in Michigan for providing excellent patient safety and quality of care and thank you to the hospitals who provide transparency by participating in the annual Leapfrog Survey. There is a lot more work to be done in Michigan for improving patient safety and the EAM is committed to making that happen. Our goal is for Michigan to be number one in the country for the percentage of 'A' hospitals."
"With more than 200,000 people dying due to errors in hospitals every year, communities must be vigilant in monitoring the safety records of their local facilities," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.
The Leapfrog Group invites people to view rankings, by hospital or location on its website.
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