Most Hospitals Rated Above Average in Philadelphia and Western Suburbs

Sixteen of the 28 hospitals in Philadelphia and the western suburbs rated above average for patient safety, while the rest rated as average in a survey published Wednesday by a nonprofit healthcare watchdog.

The Washington, D.C.-based Leapfrog Group’s annual Hospital Safety Score analyzed medical facilities throughout the nation to ascertain which ones ranked best and least in procedures intended to ensure that patients’ well- being is not compromised while under the care of healthcare professionals.

According to the survey, six hospitals in the area managed an A grade, and 10 hospitals scored a B or higher. The lowest score for hospitals in the region was a C.

Hospitals earning an A grade were Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Chester County Hospital in West Chester, Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Mercy Suburban Hospital in Norristown, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia and Riddle Hospital in Media.

Ten hospitals received a B -- Aria Health Frankford and Aria Health Torresdale in Philadelphia, Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia and Elkins Park, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Jeanes Hospital, Mercy Philadelphia Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, Roxborough Memorial Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Twelve facilities fell into the C category -- Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, Crozer Chester Medical Center in Upland, Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Springfield Hospital in Springfield, Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia, Paoli Hospital in Paoli, Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville, Pottstown Memorial Center in Pottstown, Temple University in Philadelphia.

The Leapfrog Group, an employer-backed organization focused on healthcare quality, used various criteria to calculate hospitals’ grades, examining whether physicians and nurses took steps to optimize safety during surgeries, whether patients received adequate post-op care, whether staffing levels were appropriate to prevent threats to patients’ health and whether facilities had clearly defined protocols to protect patients.

Some of the sub-categories rated hospitals on the use of antibiotics to prevent infections and steps to prevent blood clots, as well as the maintenance of surgical wounds, prevention of bed sores and medical staff teamwork to minimize errors.