Monthly Newsletter
June 2015
SurveyShining a Light on the Safest Hospitals
Communities rally behind hospitals making patient safety a top priority

 

Since May, we have seen accelerating media coverage of Hospital Safety Scores, with increasing focus on hospitals that achieve the highest score, an "A".  Over 2,000 stories have been published in only the last few weeks in regional and national news, and hospitals are using their score to start a conversation with patients about the importance of hospital safety. Many are also using their score to build awareness among staff, clinicians, and Board, and to educate their communities about why they put a priority on safety.  


 "We have noticed a real shift in how hospitals are using their Hospital Safety Score to rally behind patient safety," said President and CEO Leah Binder. "We are pleased that the Hospital Safety Score can contribute positively to the efforts of hospitals to make real progress." 


 

Check your Hospital Safety Score now!

SurveyOne in Four Hospitals Must Improve Hand-Hygiene Practices to Prevent Infections
Leapfrog releases its Hand-Hygiene Safe Practices Report

 
The Leapfrog Group just released its Hand Hygiene report, investigating whether hospitals are following safety practice guidelines for reducing infections through handwashing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on any given day about one in 25 hospital patients has at least one hospital-acquired infection, and in about 10% of these cases, patients will die as a result. Hand hygiene is one of the most effective means to stop the spread of infection, yet nearly one in four hospitals did not meet the Leapfrog standard on hand-hygiene safe practices.
SurveyLeapfrog at AHIP
Leapfrog joined AHIP's annual Institute to spread the word about hospital quality and safety

 

Health plans across the country are talking about Leapfrog data.


Leapfrog made an appearance at America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)'s annual Institute, where there was significant discussion of the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and the Hospital Safety Score, among other topics of interest to health plans and policymakers. Bill Clinton closed the week with a call for the industry to make radical improvements, and it was a great opportunity to learn what other organizations are doing to promote transparency and help purchasers and consumers navigate the complex health care system. 


 Check out UseLeapfrogData.org to see what makes our data so valuable. 

SurveyWelcome Back Surgical Volume--The Original Quality Measure
A new hospital alliance promises to reduce low-volume surgeries to keep patients safer

 

In late May, U.S. News and World Report and HealthLeadersMedia reported that Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System, and the University of Michigan Health System will restrict their 20 hospitals and surgeons from performing 10 different procedures if they don't do a minimum amount per year. 

 

This is good news for patients. Earlier studies showed that patients have an increased risk (by up to 80%!) of dying when a hospital hasn't reached minimum volume standards. 

 

Leapfrog was a pioneer in reporting on volume as a quality measure from our inception in 2000, and we continue to do so today. Leapfrog experts are reviewing our Survey data to review opportunities for crediting hospitals and medical staffs that enforce policies around volume. 


 Read:

Welcome Back Volume--The Original Quality Measure

Complications more likely when doctors don't do enough surgeries
 

SurveyUpcoming Survey Deadline
Hospitals should submit their survey by June 30

 
Hospital Survey All hospitals are encouraged to submit their 2015 Leapfrog Hospital Survey by June 30. Results will be publicly reported and refreshed monthly starting on July 25th. Hospitals that have not submitted their survey by June 30 will be reported as "Declined to Respond" on our public reporting website. 

All questions or requests for technical assistance should be directed to our HelpDesk. 
SurveyNavigating the Ins and Outs of Health Care 
Recent events, articles, and publications from and about The Leapfrog Group

 

In the news and on the air, Leapfrog is talking about health care safety, quality and transparency. 

 

Listen to President & CEO Leah Binder on Conversations on Health Care radio show: 


 "The most disturbing statistic of all is that about 200,000 - 400,000 people die from preventable errors and accidents and infections in hospitals. Even today, we don't know exactly how many people die - we're not doing what we need to do to hold health systems accountable." 

 

Leah's latest Forbes.com post explores a little-known regulation that has a big impact for health care costs. "The bottom line: employers will be out hundreds of millions of dollars because federal officials changed the rules mid-game."

Little-Known Federal Health Regulation Is Hitting Up Business For Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars

 

Around the Web 

"There's a race to the top to see who is delivering the most complex care, but the nuts and bolts may be left behind."

Patient anecdotes in NY-Presbyterian hospital ads mask mediocre quality ratings

 

"If you look at the facility's quality and safety data before you're hospitalized, it arms you and your family to be on the lookout for potential problems when you're in the hospital."

"It's important for women and employers to carefully consider what hospitals they have available so that they can pick the best one."

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 collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Hospital Safety Score, 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. 

 
In This Issue
The Safest Hospitals
Hand Hygiene Report
Use Leapfrog Data
Welcome Back Volume
Survey Deadline
Leapfrog Commentary

 

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 Quick Links

Hospital Safety Score

 Leah Binder's Forbes Blog 

Wall Street Journal Experts 

 

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