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The basics:

• New Jersey ranks third nationwide in The Leapfrog Group‘s Spring 2025 hospital safety report
• 54.5% of N.J. hospitals received A grades for safety; 18 earned straight-A status for two years
• No in-state hospitals received a D or F safety grade this cycle

Leading health care systems from across New Jersey are celebrating their recent success on The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2025 Hospital Safety Score.

New Jersey ranked third in the nation in the latest assessment, released May 1, with more than half of its facilities earning “A” grades. In the Garden State, 36 hospitals (54.5%) achieved the highest mark. The position improves upon the state’s fifth-place ranking in the fall 2024 release.

According to The Leapfrog Group, these largely preventable problems harm 1-in-4 hospital inpatients and cause as many as 250,000 deaths each year.

Take a closer look at some of those high earners below.

Hackensack Meridian Health

Seven Hackensack Meridian Health facilities received A grades, including three that earned the elite “Straight A” designation:

• Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center
• Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center
• Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center
• Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center
• Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center – Straight A
• Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center – Straight A
• Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center – Straight A

“At Hackensack Meridian Health, we are committed to transforming healthcare by providing the safest, highest quality care to our patients. We are proud to be recognized for patient safety by Leapfrog once again, and we will continue to set high standards and improve health outcomes for the communities we serve in New Jersey and beyond.”
— Robert Garrett, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health

RWJBarnabas Health

All of RWJBarnabas Health’s hospitals either maintained or increased a letter grade over the fall 2024 assessment. The West Orange-based system recorded seven A hospitals (below) as well as five with B grades:

• Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston
• Community Medical Center in Toms River – Straight A
• Monmouth Medical Center  in Long Branch
• Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus  in Lakewood – Straight A
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway – Straight A
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset

“Achieving lasting improvements in safety and quality is a long-term endeavor that demands continuous dedication to drive meaningful change and lasting results. As we continue our unwavering pursuit of excellence in safety and quality, this industry recognition demonstrates the hard work and dedication of our clinicians and staff throughout the system.”
— Dr. Andy Anderson, executive vice president and chief medical and quality officer, RWJBarnabas Health

St. Joseph’s Health

Both St. Joseph’s Health University Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center earned A grades in the Spring 2025 Hospital Safety Score. It marks the second-straight year for the latter and a full letter-grade improvement for the former.

The Paterson-based system said it has dedicated time and efforts to collecting feedback from patients and employees to identify areas of improvement when it comes to patient safety. St. Joseph’s launched Patient Service Direct. The individualized bedside QR codes provide patients with easy access to assistance – with anything from Food & Nutrition to Safety & Security to Room Maintenance. In addition, staff members earn monthly awards for asking questions about a physician’s order, a patient’s chart or medication directions.

“Our patients and the care they receive is at the center of everything we do. These scores reflect the excellence that our physicians, nurses and all our staff share with our patients and community.”
— Dr. Dustin Riccio, president and CEO, St. Joseph’s Health

Saint Peter’s Healthcare System

Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick maintained its A grade from the fall assessment to the spring.

“To make informed decisions about where to seek care, those we serve benefit from having information about hospitals that demonstrate excellence in preventing harm and medical errors. We recognize that patients and families have choices regarding where they are treated. With patient safety being one of the most important factors impacting clinical outcomes, I am extremely proud of the team at Saint Peter’s for once again achieving the highest hospital safety grade (A) from The Leapfrog Group.”
— Leslie Hirsch, president and CEO, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System

Atlantic Health System

Three of Atlantic Health System’s hospitals earned A grades from The Leapfrog Group in its Spring 2025 Hospital Safety Grades:

• Morristown Medical Center – Straight A
• Overlook Medical Center – Straight A
• Chilton Medical Center

According to AHS, Morristown has maintained its A grade since fall 2015. Meanwhile, Overlook has had a consistent A since spring 2021.

“A commitment to patient safety and the highest quality care are always the top priorities for our incredible physicians, nurses and other team member.”
— Scott Leighty, executive vice president and chief health system officer, Atlantic Health System

Englewood Health

Englewood Health said its latest A grade marks the 24th the hospital has received in The Leapfrog Safety Grade.

“Achieving an ‘A’ grade from The Leapfrog Group, again this rating period, means our entire team is consistently pulling in the same direction to ensure patient safety. The dedication of our team members and their abiding commitment to quality care and the safety of our patients is what this ‘A’ grade represents.”
— Kathleen Kaminsky, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, Englewood Hospital

St. Luke’s

St. Luke’s University Health Network‘s Warren campus in Phillipsburg was among designees recognized for maintaining straight As. According to the Pennsylvania-based health care system, all 11 campuses also earned As in the fall 2024 assessment.

“St. Luke’s consistent, across-the-board excellence reflects the commitment of our doctors, nurses and other staff to extending the very best care to each and every patient at all of our locations.”
— Donna Sabol, vice president and chief quality officer, St. Luke’s

Holy Name

Holy Name earned its third consecutive A Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group.

“Since Spring 2024, our consistent ‘A’ grades from Leapfrog are a clear reflection of our unwavering commitment to safety and quality. That commitment drives our physicians, nurses, and staff to deliver excellent, personalized care to patients and their loved ones.”
— Dr. Vasantha Kondamudi, executive vice president and chief medical officer, Holy Name