French Hospital Medical Center Achieves 26 Consecutive ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group

Straight A’s at the national level reflects commitment to patients

San Luis Obispo, CA, November 15, 2024 – French Hospital Medical Center was awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade today for the 26th consecutive time by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog organization. This accolade recognizes French Hospital as one of only 12 hospitals in the country and one of only 2 in California to earn an “A” Grade continuously since 2012. French Hospital is also the only hospital on the Central Coast to achieve 26 straight A’s. 

"Our team's dedication and expertise shine through in French Hospital's incredible achievement: 26 consecutive A's in safety from the Leapfrog Group, and we also hold a 5-star rating from CMS.  This commitment to patient safety makes us a leader in health care excellence, and I'm incredibly proud of everyone involved,” says Sue Andersen, President & CEO of French Hospital.

The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. 

“Everyone who works and volunteers at French Hospital should be so proud. French Hospital has made a clear and consistent effort to protect patients from harm. This is reflected in the outstanding and very remarkable distinction of earning an ‘A’ Safety Grade every cycle since the program’s inception in 2012,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I congratulate everyone at French Hospital for their national example and commitment to protecting patients from preventable harm.” 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on preventable medical errors, injuries and infections that can harm and even kill. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.French Hospital earned an “A” every time the grades were updated since the creation of the Hospital Safety Grade in 2012. 

To see French Hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and via The Leapfrog Group newsletter.  

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About Dignity Health Central Coast

Seven award-winning hospitals comprise Dignity Health Central Coast: Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo, all recognized for their quality of care, safety, and service.

Additionally, Dignity Health Central Coast has a network of nearly 50 physician offices known as Pacific Central Coast Health Centers that include primary care, cancer care and various specialty offices. Dignity Health Central Coast also includes premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services.

Learn more at dignityhealth.org/centralcoast.

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 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, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter.