Desert Regional, Eisenhower Medical Center Ranked Among Top Hospitals in County for Patient Safety

Half the hospitals in Riverside County were rated above average for patient safety, while the other half were rated as average or below average in a survey published Wednesday by a nonprofit healthcare watchdog.

The Washington, D.C.-based Leapfrog Group’s annual Hospital Safety Score analyzed medical facilities throughout the nation to ascertain which ones ranked best and least in procedures intended to ensure that patients’ well- being is not compromised while under the care of healthcare professionals.

According to the survey, seven of Riverside County’s 14 hospitals scored a B or higher, while the balance earned a grade of C or D. None were marked with an F.

Hospitals earning an A grade were Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Kaiser Permanente Community Hospital in Moreno Valley, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Riverside and Riverside Community Hospital.

Two hospitals received a B -- JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio and San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning.

Five facilities fell into the C category -- Hemet Valley Medical Center, Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside, Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta and Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley.

Two hospitals received a D grade -- Loma Linda University Medical Center of Murrieta and Menifee Valley Medical Center.

The Leapfrog Group, an employer-backed organization focused on healthcare quality, used various criteria to calculate hospitals’ grades, examining whether physicians and nurses took steps to optimize safety during surgeries, whether patients received adequate post-op care, whether staffing levels were appropriate to prevent threats to patients’ health and whether facilities had clearly defined protocols to protect patients.

Some of the sub-categories rated hospitals on the use of antibiotics to prevent infections and steps to prevent blood clots, as well as the maintenance of surgical wounds, prevention of bed sores and medical staff teamwork to minimize errors.

– By City News Service.

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