Dignity Health St. Elizabeth Community Hospital Named A Top Rural Hospital in the Nation for Outstanding Quality and Safety

RED BLUFF, Calif. (December 6, 2022) – Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Dignity Health St. Elizabeth Community Hospital was named Top Rural Hospital in California by The Leapfrog Group. The Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards hospitals can receive. More than 2,200 hospitals were considered for the award. Among those, St. Elizabeth Community Hospital received a Top Rural distinction among 13 other hospitals in the nation. 

“This distinction demonstrates our ongoing commitment and unwavering focus on patient safety, which is ingrained in our culture. We are truly dedicated to the health and well-being of our beloved community that we proudly serve and who entrust us in their care,” said Rodger Page, President, St. Elizabeth Community Hospital. 

The Top Hospital designation is given by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers widely acknowledged as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality. 

“Providing the highest standard of care is something that our staff takes pride in. Given the challenges our hospital has faced over the last couple of years during the COVID pandemic, our staff has continued to rise above, ensuring quality care and safety,” said Randy Pennebaker, Pharm.D. Vice President of Operations, St. Elizabeth Community Hospital. 

The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology. 

“It is with tremendous honor and gratitude that we announce our St. Elizabeth Team has been recognized for its commitment to patient safety by being awarded Top Rural Hospital in California by Leapfrog which rates hospitals on how well medical errors, infections and injuries are prevented. Leapfrog is the gold standard nationally for hospital safety rating. This is one of the most valuable honors a hospital can achieve to demonstrate safe patient care,” said Kelley

Baas, Vice President Patient Care /Chief Nurse Executive Officer, St. Elizabeth Community Hospital. 

“We are honored to recognize St. Elizabeth Community Hospital as a Top Hospital this year,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “St. Elizabeth Community Hospital has demonstrated that they truly put patients first. We congratulate the board, staff and clinicians whose efforts made this honor possible.” 

About Dignity Health North State Hospitals 

Dignity Health’s three accredited, not-for-profit hospitals in the North State — Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta, Mercy Medical Center Redding, and St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff — received national recognition for superior safety and quality. Each is passionate about providing an exceptional patient experience, investing in our communities, advocating for the underserved, and delivering quality, affordable health services to anyone in need. 

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.