PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Northern Light AR Gould Hospital earned an “A” — the top score possible — in the spring 2024 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade program. This national distinction recognizes AR Gould’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital.
“It is satisfying to be recognized on a national level for the work we are doing every day to provide safe, highly reliable care of our patients,” says hospital President Jay Reynolds. “By using national performance measures over a broad spectrum of hospital services, processes and structures, it not only helps patients make informed decisions, but helps hospitals like AR Gould to benchmark our progress in safety, quality and efficiency of care.”
Similar to school grades, The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns grades from “A” to “F” to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
“Everyone who works at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital should be proud of this ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “It takes complete dedication at every level, and an ironclad commitment to putting patients first. I thank AR Gould, its leadership, clinicians, staff, and volunteers for caring so deeply for its patients and their safety.”
To see AR Gould Hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety.
