The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization, assigns letter grades to hospitals across the country based on patient safety. The grades reflect how well hospitals prevent medical errors, injuries and infections.
An “A” is the highest grade that Leapfrog awards to a hospital. For our community, the A grade reflects a years-long journey of process improvement and our strong commitment to keeping patients safe at every step of their care.
With Shady Grove Medical Center’s recognition, all acute-care hospitals in the Adventist HealthCare system have earned Leapfrog “A” grades, reflecting a shared focus on safety across the organization.
What the Leapfrog “A” Measures
Leapfrog’s Safety Grade is based on publicly reported data and national performance measures. It evaluates how effectively hospitals protect patients from preventable harm.
That includes everything from infection prevention and medication safety to surgical protocols, error prevention systems and leadership practices that support a culture of safety.
This is not a satisfaction survey or a reputation score. It is a data-driven assessment of how well a hospital safeguards patients.
What This Means for Patients and Families
Shady Grove’s “A” is a testament to the diligence of its care teams, who follow strict protocols to protect patients daily. These include double-checking medications, ensuring thorough hand hygiene, pausing to confirm procedural details and maintaining rigorous cleaning standards.
For families in the region, this recognition represents care grounded in continuous improvement. For instance, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has gone more than seven years without a central-line bloodstream infection, and the Intensive Care Unit eliminated hospital-acquired pressure injuries in 2024 and 2025.
“This recognition reflects the dedication to patient safety,” said Cheri Hahn, director of quality services. "Every role contributes to protecting our patients." It requires vigilance, collaboration and accountability across every department and every shift.
