BRG Receives Top Marks for Patient Safety, Experience

For eight years, BRG receives more top safety ratings than any other local hospital

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Today, Baton Rouge General (BRG) announced top honors in patient safety and patient experience from two different ratings organizations.

For the eighth year in a row – and more than any other local hospital -- BRG received an ‘A’ for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group. Only 22 hospitals in Louisiana received an ‘A’ rating in the spring report.

Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grades program reviews more than 2,600 facilities across the country and generates a report card for each, with an A, B, C, D or F letter grade, indicating the hospital’s overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors. For example, patients treated at a C-rated hospital have a 35% greater risk of avoidable death than at an A-rated hospital. And people who go to hospitals with D- and F-grades have a 50% greater chance of avoidable death.

“These accomplishments are a testament to how our close partnership with medical staff results in a culture centered on the patient, one devoted to preventing errors, catching near misses and relentlessly improving,” said Edgardo Tenreiro, BRG President and CEO. “We believe that zero patient harm is possible.”

In addition to the safety rating, BRG was honored with the Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades. This award identifies top U.S. hospitals for their outstanding performance in delivering a positive experience for patients during their hospital stay.

“We are passionate about leading the region in exceptional patient care, and when that passion is recognized by external parties, it validates the tireless work of our physicians, nurses, clinicians and every other member of the team,” Tenreiro said. “We know that patients have a choice. These safety accolades should make their choice a little easier.”

Healthgrades evaluated 10 patient experience measures, ranging from cleanliness and noise levels in patient rooms to pain management and responsiveness to patients’ needs. The measures also include whether a patient would recommend the hospital to friends or family.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with 588 licensed beds between two campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General serves as an affiliate of Tulane University School of Medicine, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter at @BRGeneral.

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