The Only “A” Rated Hospitals on the Coast for Patient Safety

GULF COAST, MISSISSIPPI (April 29, 2021) – The Mississippi Gulf Coast is home to four of the safest hospitals in the nation, according to the Spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades released Thursday.

Singing River Gulfport Hospital, Singing River Ocean Springs Hospital, Singing River Pascagoula Hospital, and Ochsner Medical Center – Hancock are the only hospitals south of Jackson to be awarded an “A” in patient safety by Leapfrog.

The four A-rated hospitals are all operated through the strategic partnership of Singing River Health System and Ochsner Health. The Leapfrog “A” Hospital Safety Grade is a national distinction recognizing Singing River and Ochsner on their achievements in protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

This ‘A’ rating is reflective of the hard work and relentless dedication of our team members to our core value of “Quality is in our DNA.” It is a measurable reflection of their commitment to excellence. These awards speak to the heart and soul of our people who carry out our Mission to Improve Health and Save Lives every day, and a true testament to our partnership with Ochsner and how together we will provide greater access to safe, high-quality care to the people of South Mississippi and surrounding areas.”

Lee Bond, Chief Executive Officer, Singing River Health System

Under the guidance of a National Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Group tracks and analyzes patient safety data of more than 2,700 U.S. hospitals, assigning each hospital a letter grade “A” through “F” focused on how well the hospital protects patients over a six-month period.

“An ‘A’ safety grade is an elite designation that your community should be proud of – the past year has been extraordinarily difficult for hospitals, but Singing River in partnership with Ochsner Health shows us it is possible to keep a laser focus on patients and their safety, no matter what it takes.”

Leah Binder, president, and CEO of The Leapfrog Group

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only rating program based exclusively on hospitals’ prevention of medical errors and other harms to patients in their care, becoming the gold standard measure of patient safety, cited in MSNBCThe New York Times, and AARP The Magazine.

“Continuing to receive the highest honor for patient safety – a Leapfrog ‘A’ – at all our hospitals is an incredible tribute to the hard-working, dedicated team members who make it possible. It is especially gratifying to receive this recognition right before Nurses Day and Hospital Week – when we recognize the best in healthcare our community has to offer. Singing River and Ochsner share a truly unique culture of caring communication, commitment to quality, service and safety – this award is a reflection of that culture.”

Dr. Randy Roth, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Singing River Health System

The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and results are free to the public. To view Singing River and Ochsner’s full grade details along with other healthcare providers in your area click here.

“That so many Ochsner Health and partner hospitals achieved an ‘A’ this spring is a testament to our team’s dedication to patient safety. Leapfrog’s commitment to creating transparency through data serves the community and helps inform and empower patients. Despite the challenges our teams faced in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our people continued to deliver high quality care to the patients we serve.”

Richard Guthrie, MD, Chief Quality Officer, Ochsner Health

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 forward in the quality and safety of American health care. 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.

About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit committed to giving back to the communities it serves through preventative screenings, health and wellness resources, and partnerships with innovative organizations that share our vision. Ochsner Health healed more than 876,000 people from across the globe in 2019, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner Health is a national leader, named the top hospital in Louisiana and a top children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report. As Louisiana’s leading healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. Ochsner Health is innovating healthcare by investing in new technologies and research to make world-class care more accessible, affordable, convenient, and effective. Ochsner’s team of more than 26,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the region. To learn more about Ochsner Health, please visit www.ochsner.org. To transform your health, please visit www.ochsner.org/healthyyou.

About Singing River Health System

Singing River Health System is a Mission-Driven, not-for-profit health care provider for the Mississippi Gulf Coast and surrounding areas. As one of South Mississippi’s largest employers, the system offers award-winning, comprehensive care for every age and stage. Singing River is committed to the highest quality standards and is an accredited Blue Cross Blue Shield Center of Excellence, Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery, and rated #1 in the Market for Patient Safety and Overall Medical Excellence by CareChex.

Singing River Health System provides both critical and acute health services at each of their hospitals in Gulfport, Ocean Springs, and Pascagoula. Singing River offers charitable assistance and leads numerous educational and community outreach programs. Singing River strengthens the local economy by recruiting more than 300 of the very best physicians and other professionals to its community while providing adequate jobs, wages, and benefits to approximately 3,000 employees and their families. Through this dedication, Singing River improves the health of its community while making it a better place to live and work.

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