Understanding Hospital Safety Scores
Hospital safety scores help patients understand the risks of medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections at different healthcare facilities. Learn how these scores are calculated and why they matter.
Why Hospital Safety Scores Matter
Approximately 400,000 people die every year from preventable hospital errors, making it the third leading cause of death in the United States. Hospital safety scores provide vital information about:
Infection Rates
Including MRSA, C. diff, surgical site infections, and central line-associated bloodstream infections.
Safety Practices
Including hand hygiene, computerized medication ordering, and safe surgery protocols.
Error Prevention
Including measures to prevent falls, pressure ulcers, and medication errors.
Staff Performance
Including communication, responsiveness, and appropriate staffing levels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hospital Safety
- What is a good hospital safety score?
- For Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, an "A" represents excellent patient safety, while "B" is also considered good. For CMS, hospitals with 4 or 5 stars demonstrate above-average safety performance. The higher the safety score, the better the hospital is at preventing medical errors, infections, and patient injuries.
- How often are hospital safety scores updated?
- Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades are updated twice yearly (spring and fall). CMS updates its hospital data quarterly, with major updates to star ratings typically occurring annually. Consumer Reports updates safety scores periodically based on new data availability.
- Are safety scores the same at all hospitals?
- No, safety scores vary significantly across hospitals. According to Leapfrog data, only about one-third of hospitals receive an "A" grade. Safety performance depends on hospital leadership, safety protocols, reporting practices, and ongoing quality improvement initiatives.
Major Hospital Safety Scoring Systems
The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade
The Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades (A through F) to hospitals based on their record of patient safety. These grades help consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.
Grading Criteria:
- Process/structural measures that hospitals put in place to prevent errors
- Outcome measures that represent what happens to patients while receiving care
- 28 national performance measures across these categories
- Updated twice per year (Spring and Fall)
Understanding the Grades
Excellence in patient safety
Good patient safety record
Some safety concerns
Below average safety
Significant safety issues
CMS Patient Safety Indicators
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) includes patient safety in its overall hospital star ratings. These indicators measure adverse events and complications from healthcare delivery.
Key Safety Indicators:
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
- Surgical site infections (SSI)
- MRSA bacteremia
- Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infections
How It's Used:
- Part of the Hospital Compare website
- Integrated into overall CMS star ratings
- Affects Medicare reimbursement rates
- Updated quarterly with new data
Consumer Reports Safety Scores
Consumer Reports rates hospitals on their safety performance using a 100-point scale, with higher scores indicating better safety performance.
Score Components:
- Avoiding infections
- Avoiding readmissions
- Communication about medications and discharge
- Appropriate use of scanning
- Avoiding mortality
- Avoiding adverse events
How to Use Hospital Safety Scores
When choosing a hospital, consider safety scores alongside other factors such as:
- Specific expertise for your medical condition
- Distance and accessibility
- Insurance coverage and costs
- Doctor recommendations and privileges
- Patient experience and satisfaction ratings
Remember that safety scores are just one piece of the puzzle. A hospital with a lower safety score might still be the best choice if it has specialized expertise in treating your specific condition.
Hospital Safety Improvement Initiatives
Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program
Medicare program that reduces payments to hospitals that rank in the worst-performing quartile for hospital-acquired conditions.
Learn moreComprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP)
A framework that helps clinical teams make care safer by combining improved teamwork, clinical best practices, and the science of safety.
Learn morePartnership for Patients
A public-private partnership working to improve the quality, safety, and affordability of healthcare by preventing hospital-acquired conditions and readmissions.
Learn moreAHRQ Patient Safety Network
A national web-based resource featuring the latest news and resources on patient safety, including research findings, practical tools, and training opportunities.
Learn moreRelated Resources
Find Hospitals
Browse our comprehensive directory of hospitals throughout the US.
View DetailsCompare Hospital Costs
View and compare the costs of procedures at different hospitals.
View DetailsUnderstanding Hospital Safety Scores in Depth
Hospital safety scores are rating systems that evaluate how well hospitals protect patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. These scores can help patients make informed decisions about where to receive care and understand the risks associated with different healthcare facilities.
Common Hospital Safety Issues
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
- Medication errors
- Surgical errors and complications
- Falls and patient injuries
- Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
- Communication breakdowns between healthcare providers
- Inadequate monitoring of patients
Safety Score Statistics
According to studies, patients at hospitals receiving an 'A' grade from The Leapfrog Group have a 27% lower risk of dying from avoidable errors than those at hospitals receiving lower grades. Approximately 160,000 lives are lost annually due to preventable medical errors, making it the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer.
Hospital Safety Accreditations
Beyond safety scores, many hospitals pursue specialty accreditations that demonstrate their commitment to safety and quality care. These include The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval®, Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence, and specialty-specific certifications in areas like stroke care, cardiac care, and trauma services.
Role of Patient Engagement in Safety
Research shows that engaged patients who actively participate in their care experience fewer safety incidents. Patients are encouraged to ask questions, verify medications, ensure proper identification before procedures, and report concerns. Many hospitals with high safety scores also have robust patient engagement programs and transparent reporting systems.