Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Awarded Spring 2023 “A” Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group and Voted Best Hospital in Kern County

BAKERSFIELD, CA (May 3, 2023) - As Dignity Health kicks off celebrations for National Nurses Month and Hospital Week, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital is honored to be recognized nationally and locally for excellence in patient care and safety by The Leapfrog Group for the “A” Hospital Safety Grade, and as the “Best of Kern County” by the 2023 Best of Reader’s Choice Poll. 

“It’s been a challenging couple of years in health care, but at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, our dedication to patient safety has never wavered,” said Ken Keller, President and CEO of Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. “It is an honor to work with a team that is committed to exceeding safety practices and procedures, and this Leapfrog ‘A’ Safety Grade is a testament to their hard work.”

The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers around the country. This national distinction celebrates Memorial Hospital’s achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. The Leapfrog Spring 2023 grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic.

As an independent national watchdog organization, The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

The Best of Reader’s Choice Poll celebrates the “Best Of” Kern County and local “Favorites" each year. Readers vote on hundreds of local organizations, businesses, and community members in a wide range of categories.

“As a community hospital, the greatest honor for Memorial Hospital to receive is ‘Best Hospital’ from the very community we serve,” adds Keller. Mercy Hospital Southwest received the 2023 “Favorite Hospital” in Kern County.

To learn more about Memorial Hospital’ safety practices and full services, visit dignityhealth.org/bakersfieldmemorial.

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About Dignity Health Memorial Hospital

Dignity Health Memorial Hospital is a 385-bed acute care medical center offering a full range of services including the Sarvanand Heart and Brain Center, Grossman Burn Center at Memorial Hospital, expanded maternity and family care, the Lauren Small Children’s Center including the area’s only dedicated pediatric emergency room, orthopedic services, wound care center, 24-hour emergency care and general/outpatient surgery. Memorial Hospital is a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and is home to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House and Hope House. A member of CommonSpirit Health, Dignity Health Memorial Hospital is a trusted community partner, serving residents of Bakersfield and Kern County with quality, compassionate care since 1956. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/bakersfieldmemorial.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.