Lake Health’s TriPoint Medical Center and West Medical Center have been awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Lake Health’s achievements providing safer health care.
The Leapfrog Group is an independent national organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors, infections and other harms to patients. These grades, ranging from A-F’s, are calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the importance in keeping our community and patients safe from harm. Earning the highest possible standard of safety, we can ensure that long past the current pandemic, we will have a strong and effective health care system built on safety,” said Cynthia Moore-Hardy, FACHE, President and CEO. “I’m so proud of the dedication and hard work shown by all Lake Health team members and physicians to every patient, every day. Our “A” grades are a reflection of their commitment.”
Patient safety is of the utmost concern and remains Lake Health’s number one priority. In order to keep our patients and visitors safe while COVID-19 remains a threat, we have implemented our Safe Care Commitment which includes the following changes:
- Safe Scheduling: Before scheduled appointments, the Lake Health team will call and ask patients screening questions about any symptoms they’re currently experiencing. Patients with certain symptoms will be asked to reschedule routine appointments. We also have convenient virtual visit options and convenient online scheduling for both virtual and in-person visits.
- Safe Registration: When entering our facilities, all patients and visitors will receive a temperature check and may see some changes to the registration process, such as plexiglass partitions and disinfection of items such as pens and ID cards.
- Safe Masking: Patients and visitors entering any Lake Health hospital, outpatient facility or physician’s office are required wear a cloth mask or face covering.
- Safe Facilities: All patient rooms and common areas of our hospitals, including the lobbies, waiting areas and public restrooms, are being more frequently cleaned and disinfected for your protection. A special UV light system is also being utilized to help kill pathogens on high-touch surfaces in high-traffic areas of the hospitals, including the ED. Lobbies have new furniture layouts and seating restrictions to help promote proper social distancing while waiting. Visitor restrictions remain in effect for all of our facilities.
- Safe Hands: Frequent hand washing – by patients and team members – helps to slow the spread of germs.
Lake Health’s Hospital Safety Score provides patients with information they can use when facing a hospital stay. It allows them to determine which hospitals have the strongest safety measures in place, the best track record and consistent improvement.
To view West or TriPoint medical centers’ full scores and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org
