SHREVEPORT, La. – Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Medical Center has earned a Fall 2024 “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns general hospitals across the country grades based on more than 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
“This grade reflects tremendous skill, immense dedication and unwavering compassion from every person on our team at St. Mary Medical Center,” stated Riley Waddell, chief executive officer, Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Medical Center. “Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and every day I am impressed with the collaboration and teamwork to ensure safety, deliver outstanding care, and foster positive patient experiences in every encounter.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade hospital ratings program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. St. Mary Medical Center received an “A” grade in spring 2024 as well, which was the first time the hospital was eligible for grading since opening in 2020.
“We are thrilled to once again achieve a top grade for patient safety, reflecting our commitment to upholding the highest quality standards,” said LaTashia Upton, MD, chief medical officer, Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Medical Center. “We remain steadfast in our mission to provide accessible, equitable healthcare and will continue our work to advance our practices and outcomes.”
Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center began offering services on its campus in 2019 and now proudly houses several fully renovated clinics, including neurology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, women’s services and a state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging center. It is home to Ochsner LSU Health’s inpatient Women’s and Children’s Services and is the area’s only hospital with OB/GYNs and anesthesiologists on-site 24/7. It is now the largest birthing center in north Louisiana and third largest in the state with more than 2,400 babies delivered last year. St. Mary Medical Center was previously recognized by the Leapfrog Group in 2021 as a Top Teaching Hospital and in 2022 as one of America’s Best Hospitals by The Leapfrog Group and Money Magazine.
“Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade is a significant accomplishment for Ochsner LSU Health,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “It reflects enormous dedication to your patients and their families, and your whole community should be proud. I extend my congratulations to Ochsner LSU Health, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for their tireless efforts to put patients first.”
To explore full grade details and to find valuable tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.