Caldwell, ID – West Valley Medical Center is the only hospital in Idaho to achieve an “A” in the bi-annual Hospital Safety Score published by The Leapfrog Group. This is the third consecutive time that the Treasure Valley hospital has been recognized for exceptional performance in consistently meeting evidence-based patient safety guidelines. More than 2,600 hospitals were included in the national scoring and nine hospitals in Idaho were scored.
“We are very pleased to once again earn the highest grade in Idaho from this nationally recognized group; it affirms our dedication to keeping patients safe and improving their health,” says Julie Taylor, chief executive officer at West Valley Medical Center. “I congratulate and thank our physicians and staff for creating a safe and healing environment for patients.”
Several initiatives contribute to the high level of patient safety at West Valley Medical Center, including a multidisciplinary safety committee and participation in the STOP SSIs Project (Study to Optimally Prevent Surgical Site Infections) with The Joint Commission. Additionally, investments in technologies like computerized medication management further ensures safety. The nursing staff uses this integrated system to scan bar-coded bracelets worn by every hospitalized patient whenever medications are administered. It helps to make sure that patients are given the right medicine, at the right dosage, and at the right time.
The Hospital Safety Score was compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading experts on patient safety and is designed to give the public information they can use to educate themselves and their families. Calculated in collaboration with The Leapfrog Group’s nine-member Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score compiles 26 measures of publicly available hospital safety data into a single “grade.” That score represents any hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from infections and injuries as well as medical and medication errors.
To see West Valley’s scores as they compare nationally and locally, visit the Hospital Safety Score website at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org. This site also provides information on how the public can protect themselves and loved ones during a hospital stay. People can also check their local hospital’s score on the free mobile app; available at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.