SBUH and SBSH Both Earn Top Grade for Hospital Safety

Grade from The Leapfrog Group places Stony Brook among the safest hospitals in the nation

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (SBSH) have both earned an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade for Fall 2024 from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns letter grades to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

"These 'A' grades from The Leapfrog Group validate our commitment to delivering the highest standard of safe, quality care," said William A. Wertheim, MD, executive vice president for Stony Brook Medicine. "This recognition reflects every member of our healthcare team's dedication to ensure our patients receive exceptional care in the safest possible environment."

"This top mark is a testament to the dedication of every Stony Brook professional to go above and beyond to protect patient safety," said Carol Gomes, chief executive officer of Stony Brook University Hospital. "Earning an 'A' grade means exceptional, safety-focused healthcare is right here when patients in our community need it, delivered by a team that always puts safety first."

To add to this significant achievement, SBSH received an 'A' grade for the second year in a row. This makes it one of only 17 hospitals in New York State to achieve two consecutive 'A' grades, in Spring and Fall 2024.

"We are honored to have again earned the nation's top distinction for patient safety, an 'A' from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade," said Emily Mastaler, chief administrative officer, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. "The fall 'A' grade, follows our spring 'A', and represents the tireless commitment of every one of our team members, who work 24/7, year-round, to ensure our patients' safety."

"Achieving an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade is a significant accomplishment for Stony Brook University Hospital and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "It reflects enormous dedication to your patients and their families, and your whole community should be proud. I extend my congratulations to both hospitals, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for their tireless efforts to put patients first."

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To explore SBUH and SBSH's full grade details and to find valuable tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.