Piedmont Newton Hospital has received an “A” grade for its commitment to patient safety, according to the fall 2016 Hospital Safety Score, which grades hospitals in the areas of preventable medical errors, injuries and infections.

“Patient safety is our number one priority,” said Jim Weadick, CEO of Piedmont Newton in a statement. “Achieving this top Hospital Safety Score demonstrates our commitment to creating a superior and safe experience for our patients.”

This is the first “A” grade earned by Piedmont Newton and largely attributed to the implementation of additional measures to optimize the safety program after joining the Piedmont Healthcare family, including the adoption of the Piedmont Always Safe program, the implementation of risk reporting software, adding a full-time Chief Medical Officer to the executive team and daily huddles with key leaders to increase organizational awareness.

The Hospital Safety Score is the gold standard rating for patient safety, compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading patient safety experts and administered by The Leapfrog Group, a national, nonprofit hospital safety watchdog. Of the 2,633 hospitals that met requirements to receive a grade, about 32 percent received an “A” Hospital Safety Score.
“Leapfrog's Hospital Safety Score helps people make informed decisions when choosing where to seek medical care," said Weadick. “We are proud to be recognized as a top-rated hospital and destination for safe and high-quality patient care.”
To see Piedmont Newton’s full score and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospitals, visit hospitalsafetyscore.org. For additional information about Piedmont Newton’s quality measures, visit piedmont.org/quality.