UChicago Medicine receives watchdog group’s top teaching-hospital and patient-safety honors

12th consecutive ‘A’ rating in patient safety from Leapfrog award

The University of Chicago Medicine has been named a “Top Hospital” in the teaching category for the second year in row by The Leapfrog Group. The latest recognition, announced Dec. 7, comes just six weeks after the academic health system was recognized by the prominent industry watchdog as one of 59 hospitals in the country to earn 12 sequential straight As in patient safety.

“These back-to-back distinctions showcase our exemplary leadership in academic medicine and highlight your tireless efforts to deliver unparalleled care to patients and the community and groom the next generation of physicians,” said Kenneth S. Polonsky, MD, dean and executive vice president for medical affairs.

Only 36 of the nation’s academic medical centers received the “Top Hospital” honor in the teaching category.

In order to be designated a top teaching hospital, institutions must:

  • Fully meet the standard to prevent medication errors and for ICU physician staffing
  • Receive an A grade in hospital safety
  • Be ranked in the top of their peer group based on Leapfrog’s “value score”
  • Satisfy the Top Hospital Selection Committee that the hospital embodies the highest standards of excellence, which includes review of publicly available data

On Oct. 31, UChicago Medicine received its 12th consecutive A in patient safety. The letter grades were based on a review of 27 publicly available safety metrics, which were selected and reviewed by a panel of experts. That data ranged from infection rates, surgical complications and medical errors to safety problems and staffing.

The patient-safety results, which were based on data from more than 2,600 hospitals across the country, are free to the public and published on Leapfrog’s website.

“I want to thank all our employees for their vigilance and dedication to our mission as an academic medical center,” said Sharon O’Keefe, president of the University of Chicago Medical Center.