HOUGHTON – UP Health System – Portage received an “A” grade in the spring “https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/”>2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing UP Health System – Portage’s achievements protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. This is the sixth straight “A” rating in patient care and safety for UPHS – Portage. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is the only hospital rating program based exclusively on hospitals’ prevention of medical errors and other harms to patients in their care.

“Achieving an A rating through Leapfrog for multiple consecutive review periods demonstrates the systems, processes, and employees of UP Health System Portage Hospital, have built a sustainable model of care,” said Ed Freysinger, CEO, UPHS-Portage. “Through these systems and our employees, we have created an environment focused on continuous improvement and growth. I am proud of the work our employees, physicians, and volunteers provide to our patients, visitors, and the community – they are the heart of the service we provide.”

“An ‘A’ safety grade is an elite designation that your community should be proud of,” said Leah Binder, president, and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “The past year has been extraordinarily difficult for hospitals, but UP Health System – Portage shows us it is possible to keep a laser focus on patients and their safety, no matter what it takes.”

Developed under the guidance of a National Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,700 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

UP Health System – Portage was awarded an “A” grade on Thursday, April 29, when Leapfrog updated grades for spring 2021. To see UP Health System – Portage grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.