Highlighting their nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and Ocean Medical Center in Brick were named Top Teaching Hospitals nationally. The Top Hospital designation is awarded by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers focused on health care safety and quality. The designations follow the academic medical center’s and hospital’s “A” Hospital Safety Grades announced in November, also from The Leapfrog Group.
The Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors American hospitals can receive. “I’m extremely proud of our team members at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Ocean Medical Center on receiving this recognition,” said Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, regional president, southern market, Hackensack Meridian Health. “What better distinction can a hospital receive, than to be noted for our efforts in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. We remain dedicated to enhancing the quality of the care and safety we provide as well as improving our patient experience.”
About 2,100 hospitals were considered for the award. A total of 120 hospitals were selected as Top Hospitals, including:
• 10 Top Children’s Hospitals
• 37 Top General Hospitals
• 18 Top Rural Hospitals
• 55 Top Teaching Hospitals
Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.
“We are pleased to recognize Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Ocean Medical Center as 2019 Leapfrog Top Hospitals,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “This demonstrates extraordinary dedication to patients and the community. We congratulate the board, staff and clinicians whose efforts made this honor possible and know they share pride in this achievement.”
To qualify for the Top Hospitals distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers in the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest known standards for quality and patient safety, and achieve top performance in its category. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2019 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.
For more information or a free physician referral, visit www.jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com or www.oceanmedicalcenter.com.