WHITTIER, Calif., May 15, 2019 – Whittier Hospital Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. The designation recognizes Whittier Hospital Medical Center’s efforts in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

“Our highest priority at Whittier Hospital Medical Center is the safety of our patients,” said Whittier Hospital Medical Center CEO Richard Castro. “We are pleased that our attention to their health, safety and wellbeing has been affirmed through this top national recognition.”

Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

“To be recognized nationally as an ‘A’ hospital is an accomplishment the whole community should take pride in,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ grade are making it a priority to protect patients from preventable medical harm and error. We congratulate hospital leaders, board members, staff, volunteers and clinicians who work so hard to earn this A.”

Whittier Hospital Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ grade today, when Leapfrog announced grades for the spring 2019 update. To see Whittier Hospital Medical Center’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 and Facebook.

To learn more about Whittier Hospital Medical Center, visit whittierhospital.com or call 562-945-3561.

About Whittier Hospital Medical Center

Whittier Hospital Medical Center is a 178-bed acute care hospital, accredited by the Joint Commission, with a medical staff of approximately 400 physicians representing more than 40 specialties. Being part of the community has been an important goal throughout the years, and with your help and loyalty we can continue to provide health services that you can depend on. For more information visit: whittierhospital.com.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.