Survey Gives Northside Hospital "A" in Patient Safety

By Renee Schiavone (Patch Staff)

Sandy Springs-based Northside Hospital ranks above average for patient safety, according to 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, the hospital scored an A in its ranking. You can view the hospital’s complete report here. However, another hospital close by, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, scored a C in its ranking; its report is available here.

You can also see how other facilities around the state faired in the rankings.

How do area hospitals stack up? Northside Hospital-Forsyth also scored an A. Both Roswell-based North Fulton Hospital, Emory University Hospital and Marietta’s WellStar Kennestone Hospital scored B’s in their respective reports.

Emory Johns Creek Hospital scored a C, as did Northside Hospital-Cherokee in Canton and Gwinnett Medical Center - Lawrenceville.

Piedmont Hospital has a ranking of D, the lowest score within a 50-mile radius.

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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