The last time The Leapfrog Group released its hospital safety grades, nearly 20 from the Garden State recorded losses. But in the most recent assessment, New Jersey facilities made gains.

More than 80% of the state’s hospitals earned A or B scores in the Spring 2024 Hospital Safety Grades revealed May 1. Altogether, 67 acute care Garden State facilities participated. New Jersey ranked No. 3 in the nation for the number of As — a 10 spot jump from the fall.

Nearly 3,000 facilities nationwide received grades. The designations – ranging from A to F – reflect participants’ prowess around preventable medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections.

At 81%, the number of New Jersey’s honor roll facilities, so to speak, was up from 76% in the fall.

This spring:

• 30 hospitals earned As (45%), eight more than last time
• 15 hospitals improved from the fall
• 24 hospitals recorded Bs
• 12 Hospitals earned Cs
• Nine hospitals recorded declines
• One hospital scored a D (CarePoint Health Christ Hospital; down from fall’s C grade)

A pair of hospitals improved by two grades, moving from Cs to As: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton and Saint Michael’s Medical Center. No New Jersey facility earned an F.

Participation with Leapfrog is voluntary. In recent years, all or nearly all of the state’s hospitals have taken part. According to the New Jersey Hospital Association, there are 72 acute care facilities in the state.

Two hospitals were not scored. There was not enough data to evaluate Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, the New Jersey Quality Institute said. Additionally, following a recent merger, Inspira Medical Center Mannington received a new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Certification Number, so it was not eligible this round, the Quality Institute said.

The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute represents 100-plus members from across health care focused on improving the safety, quality and affordability of health care.

Since the onset of COVID-19, the patient experience has trended downward. This spring signals a change in that regard. The Quality Institute highlighted the latest evaluation as the first to show progress across all patient experience metrics, with improvements over the fall.

“The number of A and B hospitals highlights that we are, overall, doing well as a state,” said Adelisa Perez-Hudgins, director of quality, Quality Institute. “The percentage speaks to the dedication of hospitals and health care teams that focus on patient safety and quality improvement.”

“Consumers can and do use the Hospital Safety Grade to select the safest hospitals in their area,” said Linda Schwimmer, president and CEO, Quality Institute. “And we know that transparent reporting on patient safety drives improvements in quality, saving lives and reducing preventable injuries.”

Getting better

This latest Leapfrog release includes a new breakdown of safety performance by metropolitan area. Based on the highest percentage of A hospitals, the No. 1 core-based statistical area was Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton PA-NJ.

Nationwide, Leapfrog said 92% of hospitals have improved performance on at least one of three preventable infections (Central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA). Incidences of these hit a peak in fall 2022, the Quality Institute said.

However, there is still work to be done. Leapfrog said patient safety “remains at a crisis-level hazard in health care.”

Citing peer-reviewed research published in The BMJ, Leapfrog said an estimated 250,000 people die each year from preventable errors and hospital infections. That makes patient safety problems the third leading cause of death in the United States.

“Patient experience is very difficult to influence without delivering better care, so these findings are encouraging,” commented Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.

• Looking back: See how NJ hospitals fared on Leapfrog Group report card in Spring 2023
• Get involved: Leapfrog opens ASC survey: NJ has 180+ eligible participants