Leapfrog Hospital Safety scores were released, and three Alabama hospitals scored an overall “F” rating. Two of those are operated by the Huntsville Hospital Health System.
Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, Huntsville Hospital and Madison Hospital all failed based on publicly available data. However, Huntsville Hospital responded by saying the rating is inaccurate and based on incomplete information.
Huntsville Hospital and Madison Hospital scored “worse than average” on MRSA infections, sepsis infections after surgery, death from serious treatable complications, accidental cuts and tears, harmful events, dangerous bed sores and other categories.
In a statement, the hospital system said it turned over a 353-page survey to Leapfrog, but the rating was determined with incomplete information.
“This process is unfair to the thousands of dedicated clinicians working around the clock to care for the community and respond to emergencies anytime they are called,” Huntsville Hospital Health System stated.
The system noted that Huntsville Hospital has been ranked as the second-best hospital in Alabama by U.S. News.
“Huntsville Hospital takes care of the sickest patients in north Alabama and southern Tennessee,” the statement continued. “Mortality ratings referenced in the Leapfrog survey fail to account for the severity of illness managed by hospitals that accept transfers of patients needing the highest level of care.”
Huntsville Hospital Health System vowed to add significant resources for the completion of surveys for both Huntsville Hospital and Madison Hospital.
“While we would rather have these staff members taking care of patients, and we recognize that Leapfrog may not be the best indicator of hospital quality, allowing an organization to suggest we do not prioritize patient safety is an afront to dedicated care givers and first responders working around the clock to make Huntsville a better place to live,” the system stated.
Leapfrog has rated hospitals twice a year for more than 20 years.
Alabama hospitals that received an "A" score were Flowers Hospital, North Baldwin Infirmary, DeKalb Regional Medical Center, Riverview Regional Medical Center and South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.
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