RWJ University Hospital Somerset Gets 'A' Grade For Fall 2018

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset is among the 38 New Jersey hospitals to receive an A grade in hospital safety in the new Fall 2018 ratings released Thursday.

This A grade is up from the spring when the Somerville-based Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset got a B grade.

The Leapfrog Group, which released the report, explains that its rating system is focused entirely on errors, accidents, injuries and infections. The hospital safety grades are released by the nonprofit group twice a year, in the spring and in the fall.

Breaking down the ratings:

• Infections: The hospital performed above average for MRSA infections, infection in the blood, infection in the urinary tract and surgical site infection after colon surgery. It performed below average for Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection.
• Problems with Surgery: The hospital performed above average for dangerous object left in patient's body, surgical wound splits open, death from serious treatable complications, collapsed lung, and serious breathing problem. It performed below average for dangerous blood clot and accidental cuts and tears.
• Practices to Prevent Errors: The hospital performed above average for doctors order medications through a computer, safe medication administration, and hand-washing. It performed below average for communication about medicines and communication about discharge.
• Safety Problems: The hospital performed above average for dangerous bed sores, air or gas bubble in the blood and track and reduce risks to patients. It scored below average for patient falls.
• Doctors, Nurses and Hospital Staff: The hospital performed above average for effective leadership to prevent errors, enough qualified nurses, and specially trained doctors care for ICU patients. It performed below average for communication with doctors, communication with nurses and responsiveness of hospital staff.

The A grades accounted for 56 percent of the state's hospitals - the highest percentage in the country - and a 23 percent increase from the spring rankings.

Nearby hospitals including Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick all received a B grade.

A total of 16 New Jersey hospitals received a B, while 11 received a C, according to the rankings. One hospital actually got an F, and another got a D.

Click here to see the full list of New Jersey hospitals and how they ranked.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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