'A' Hospital Safety Grade Awarded to Sauk Prairie Healthcare

Sauk Prairie Healthcare received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. This national distinction celebrates Sauk Prairie Healthcare’s achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. The new grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic.

“We have never chased awards, but it is validating to yet again see this extraordinary team recognized for their passionate work and dedication to our patients,” said Shawn Lerch, CEO of Sauk Prairie Healthcare. “Sauk Prairie Healthcare was founded in 1956 on the bedrock principles of safe, high-quality care. That promise to our communities remains the highest priority. It is truly inspiring to witness how our teams continue to strengthen our mission of being extraordinary, even through the challenges of the pandemic.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“This new update of Hospital Safety Grades shows that, at the national level, we saw deterioration in patient safety with the pandemic,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “But this hospital received an ‘A’ despite those challenges. I congratulate all the leaders, staff, volunteers and clinicians who together made that possible.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm 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.

To see Sauk Prairie Healthcare’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook and via its newsletter.