West Valley recognized with 21st 'A' Leapfrog hospital safety grade

West Valley Medical Center received an ‘A’ grade in the spring 2023 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. This national distinction recognizes West Valley’s achievements when it comes to patient safety. West Valley is celebrating 18 consecutive ‘A’ ratings and 21 overall.

“This 21st ‘A’ Safety Grade is a reflection of the hard work of our entire team and their dedication to clinical excellence,” said Jason Demke, chief operating officer, West Valley Medical Center.

“This repeated achievement is a testament to our focus on initiatives that make patient safety and quality a top priority,” said Tracee Hendershott, chief nursing officer, West Valley Medical Center.

West Valley Medical Center recently became a Level II Stroke Center and is working toward a Level III Trauma Certification as well. The hospital implements the Clinical Safety Improvement Program each year to proactively improve safety measures and outcomes for patients. Additionally, West Valley and HCA Healthcare’s Sepsis Predication and Optimization of Therapy (SPOT) is helping clinicians detect sepsis up to 18 hours sooner. The algorithm-driven, real-time sepsis alert system has been called a “smoke detector for sepsis”.

Another program at West Valley, called enhanced surgical recovery, is helping patients achieve a more successful pre and post-surgical process. The program is aimed at utilizing effective pain management without opioids and reducing length of stay in the hospital for patients as well as potential complications.

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 thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

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.

“I thank the workforce and leadership of West Valley Medical Center for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is an outstanding achievement, and one that is not possible without a 24/7 effort by the entire health care workforce to protect patients from harm. This community should be proud.”

See West Valley’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital.