How Safe Is Your Hospital? Bucks Healthcare Facilities "Average" On Patient Safety

The majority of Bucks and Montgomery County health facilities were ranked as average for patient safety, according to 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, five of Bucks and Montgomery County’s 8 hospitals earned a C grade, the most common ranking (33%) for hospitals nationwide.

Hospitals earning an A grade were -- Mercy Health System (Norristown) and Abington Health - Lansdale Hospital (Lansdale)

One hospital received a B -- Einstein Medical Center (Elkins Park)

Five facilities fell into the C category -- Doylestown Hospital, St. Mary Medical Center (Langhorne), Aria Health - Bucks County Division (Langhorne), Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center (Meadowbrook), and Abington Memorial Hospital (Abington)

No hospitals in the region received a grade of a D or an F. Only about 7% of hospitals nationwide fell into these bottom two categories.

The scoring rubric measures 28 different standards to determine patient safety.

A full explanation of the scoring measures is available online.

(Image credit: Google map of graded southeastern Pennsylvania hospitals, Leapfrog Group)