2019 Hospital Safety Rankings

Up To 440,000 People Die Every Year Due to Preventable Medical Errors

Eight Arkansas hospitals earned a “D” or “F” in the recently released 2019 “Hospital Safety Grade Rankings,” which are released twice a year by a nonprofit watchdog organization called “Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.”

The rankings can be found at hospitalsafetygrade.org.

Of the 29 Arkansas hospitals included in the rankings, 4 received an “A” Grade, 1 received a “B,” and 16 received a “C.”

The rankings focus on patient safety, and how well the hospital protects patients from preventable harm and medical errors. The ranking use a scoring methodology that includes 28 national performance measures gleaned from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, and other supplemental data sources.

Arkansas hospitals receiving a "D" Grade:

• Baptist Health Medical Center-Fort Smith
• Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock
• CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center
• CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center-North
• Conway Regional Medical Center
• National Park Medical Center
• Saline Memorial Hospital

The only Arkansas hospital to receive an “F” Grade was Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff:

Think about the last time you purchased a car or a major appliance. Did you do your homework? Did you compare features, warranties, and costs? 

Now think about the last time you or a family member went to the hospital. You probably didn't even know you might have a choice. And it's unlikely that you compared services or quality, because few resources exist to help you choose the best care. 

We are changing that. By publicly reporting critical safety and quality information, we can help you find the best care for you and your family. And by making transparency the norm in health care, we're helping hospitals achieve the best care possible for their patients.

Aren't all hospitals the same?

In short, no. In some hospitals, patient safety and high quality are top priorities. Strong healthcare teams reduce infection rates, put checks in place to prevent mistakes, and ensure strong lines of communication between hospital staff, patients, and families. But some hospitals trail behind. In fact, medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in this country, surpassing the number of deaths caused by car accidents, breast cancer, and HIV/AIDS. 

That means that it's critically important that you choose a hospital with a good track record of keeping its patients safe from harm. Make an informed decision for your care. Ready to compare hospitals?