South Carolina hospitals recently received their spring safety grades from The Leapfrog Group, a medical watchdog organization that evaluates hospitals based on patient safety measures. This marks the latest round of assessments since the group began publishing biannual Hospital Safety Scores in 2012 to promote transparency in the healthcare system.
Grading Overview
Out of 49 hospitals graded in South Carolina, 26 earned an A, an improvement from the 21 hospitals that received an A in the fall rankings. Additionally, 14 hospitals received a B grade, while 8 hospitals received a C. Notably, no South Carolina hospitals earned an F, the lowest possible grade.
In the Lowcountry region, six hospitals earned the highest grade of A, recognizing their exceptional performance in patient safety.
How Are Grades Calculated?
Leapfrog calculates the grades using up to 32 evidence-based safety measures, which include factors like staffing, safety culture, hand hygiene, staff responsiveness, death rates, and more. An expert panel of patient safety professionals helps guide the selection of these measures and the grading methodology. Hospitals must have sufficient safety data to be included in the grading process.
Lowcountry Hospitals and Their Grades
A Grades
These hospitals achieved the highest safety scores in the Lowcountry:
- Roper Hospital (Charleston)
- Roper St. Francis Healthcare – Berkeley Hospital (Summerville)
- Roper St. Francis Healthcare – Mount Pleasant Hospital (Mount Pleasant)
- Roper St. Francis Healthcare – Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital (Charleston)
- Trident Medical Center (Charleston)
- Summerville Medical Center (Summerville)
B Grades
The following Lowcountry hospitals earned a B grade:
- Novant Health East Cooper Medical Center (Mount Pleasant)
- Novant Health South Carolina Coastal Carolina Medical Center (Hardeeville)
C Grades
These Lowcountry hospitals received a C grade:
- Beaufort Memorial Hospital (Beaufort)
- Medical University of South Carolina University Medical Center (Charleston)
- Novant Health Hilton Head Medical Center (Hilton Head Island)
D Grade
The only Lowcountry hospital to receive a D grade was:
- MUSC Health Orangeburg (Orangeburg), which saw its grade downgraded from a C in the fall rankings.
No F Grades in South Carolina
It’s worth noting that no South Carolina hospitals received an F grade, which is the lowest possible score.
These rankings serve as an important resource for patients and their families, highlighting hospitals’ efforts to maintain high standards of patient safety and care.
