This is the seventh consecutive period (fall 2019, spring 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021, fall 2021, spring 2022 and fall 2022) that the four hospitals have received an “A” grade.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems that hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“By working together and keeping the safety of our patients — and each other — at the center of all they do, Norton Healthcare’s employees consistently do the hard work that is necessary to receive ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “Our talented and dedicated providers and caregivers consistently deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients. In addition, numerous team members throughout the organization provide essential support and resources critical in today’s complex health care environment. Seven consecutive ‘A’ grades is no small feat, and I am honored to lead this exceptional team.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,700 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year, in the fall and spring.

To see full grade details for each of Norton Healthcare’s four Louisville adult-service hospitals and get patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

The post String of seven: Norton Healthcare’s four Louisville-based adult-service hospitals once again nationally recognized with an ‘A’ for fall 2022 in Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Providers are working to contact patients to reschedule appointments, but the coronavirus-related backlog combined with careful adherence to new infection protection steps can mean delays. Providers’ offices advise that patients should feel free to call to schedule an appointment or message a provider through their free MyNortonChart account.

“We have systems in place to maximize safety,” said Ryan J. Krupp, M.D., orthopedic surgeon with Norton Orthopedic Institute. “We’re here for patients; we’re anxious and excited to get back and be able to take care of them in the way that we have become accustomed to. If you need something from us, please reach out … we’ll use all the tools we have at our disposal to get the job done.”

Norton Healthcare providers are working to reschedule patients and determine whether they need to come in or could take advantage of a Norton Telehealth video or phone visit.

“We have about 500 patients we’re contacting to make these appointments. Patients also should feel free to contact their providers so we can get them in,” said Christina M. Breit, M.D., internal medicine physician and a primary care provider with Norton Community Medical Associates – Mallard Creek.

Many providers have extended their availability into the evenings and on weekends.

“Most doctors are going to be open and more accessible than they were before this, just realizing the needs of patients who have maybe cut off some routine follow-ups that are now no longer routine,” Dr. Breit said.

Related: Skipping waiting rooms, follow-ups by video call: Medical care resumes with safeguards

Related: Phased health care resumption: Questions and answers about office visits

According to Dr. Breit, as patients come in, she’s been seeing signs of delayed care — patients with more than just one acute issue or an issue that has been more involved than the patient initially thought when making the appointment.

For patients needing surgery or specialist care, providers are working with patients who already were scheduled for an appointment and weighing that with the urgency of the patient’s condition.

“We’re opening the doors; we’re bringing more patients in now; we’re using Norton Telehealth when appropriate. So call, get back on the books. It’s safe,” Dr. Krupp said.

Preparation for surgery is similar to the previous process, and safeguards have been added to protect patients and staff from the coronavirus.

Pre-admission work is being done remotely when possible, and all patients are being screened for COVID-19 when they’re scheduled for a procedure.

“We’ve got that information that we can then use to make sure that we are making decisions about surgery appropriately with each patient individually and taking precautions to minimize any risks,” Dr. Krupp said.

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This national distinction recognizes the tremendous efforts of Norton Healthcare’s hospitals in protecting patients from harm and providing safe health care.

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization driven by employers and other purchasers of health care committed to improving health care quality and safety. The Hospital Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to all general adult-service hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

“This ‘A’ ranking at each of our hospitals is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated providers and employees, who consistently strive to deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “Never has this been more apparent than during the current public health crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“As the nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO, The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Norton Healthcare. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.”

Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 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.

The Leapfrog Group is one of many organizations that rate hospitals on the care they provide, and each uses slightly different criteria.

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