Two for two: Baptist Clay scores top marks for patient safety

Baptist Medical Center Clay has once again earned an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization that advocates for transparency and safety in health care. This is the second time in a row the health system’s newest hospital has received the highest rating for prioritizing patient safety. Baptist Clay, which opened in December 2022, became eligible to participate in the rankings last year.

The prestigious “A” rating places Baptist Clay among the top 32% of hospitals nationwide. In addition to the Leapfrog rating, Baptist Clay was recently voted Best Medical Facility in the Best of Clay awards voted on by local residents.

“We set the bar high last year by earning an ‘A’ grade rating in our first season of eligibility, and we are thrilled to be recognized once again for maintaining the highest standards of safety,” said Ed Hubel, FACHE, hospital president of Baptist Clay. “The Leapfrog rating is much more than a badge, it’s a reflection of the trust our patients place in us, and of the dedication of every member of our team.”

The Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades based on hospitals’ performance measures and processes designed to protect patient safety and improve outcomes and experiences. The independent grading system helps patients make informed decisions to protect themselves and their families. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

Letter grades of “A” through “F” are calculated using nearly 30 national performance measures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, combined with additional information Baptist Health voluntarily submits for the overall score.

“Patient safety is a continuous journey, not a one-time goal, and it demands our collective commitment every day,” said Jeremy Goodman, MD, MBA, FACHE, vice president and system quality officer at Baptist Health. “Earning top marks yet again is a moment of great pride for our team whose compassion and dedication, both behind the scenes and at the bedside, creates a safe environment for our patients.”

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades are released twice a year, in the spring and fall, with nearly 3,000 hospitals across the U.S. receiving a rating.

The score takes into consideration:

• Process measures (how a hospital gives patients a recommended treatment, including the responsiveness of hospital staff)
• Structural measures (the environment where patients receive care)
• Outcome measures (what happens to a patient while receiving care)

To learn more about Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, please visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.