Sherman Oaks, California (May 13, 2020) – Sherman Oaks Hospital was awarded an ‘A’ rating as part of the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Sherman Oaks Hospital’s achievements providing safer health care.
“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 of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Sherman Oaks Hospital. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.”
The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients.
“During a time in our nation when we are recognizing the heroes in our hospitals as they battle a pandemic, I am honored to commend our dedicated staff and physicians at Sherman Oaks Hospital for achieving this safety recognition,” said Sunny Bhatia, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Sherman Oaks Hospital, Encino Hospital, and CEO of Region I of Prime Healthcare. “Putting patients and their safety first has and always will be a top priority at our hospitals, and it has never been more important than it is today.”
Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 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.
“Sherman Oaks Hospital has received an “A” for patient safety for four straight years, and I am very proud of our team for consistently and actively demonstrating clinical excellence throughout the years,” said EM V. Garcia, Administrator of Sherman Oaks Hospital, which is a member of Prime Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest hospital systems with 45 hospitals in 14 states. “This award is a reflection of how well our hospital protects our patients from preventable errors, injuries and infections, a recognition that can be attributed in part to our team’s ability to recognize and meet the changing needs of our community through our specialty services and programs.”
Sherman Oaks, recognized by IBM Watson Health as a “100 Top Hospital” for the year 2020, 2019, 2017, and 2016, has highly rated programs and services that meet community need. “Our cardiac program involves a multidisciplinary team of clinicians utilizing the latest proven protocols for rapid response to heart attacks, featuring a multi-use combo laboratory with full cardiac diagnostic and interventional capabilities for life-saving cardiac and vascular procedures,” Garcia added. “The Center for Reconstruction and Wound Healing is also a key component of our patient safety strategy and specializes in comprehensive wound care and hyperbaric medicine. Staff at the Center develop a personalized care plan using the most advanced healing techniques that get our patients back to a healthy lifestyle as quickly as possible — with care, concern, and compassion.”
To see Sherman Oaks Hospital’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.
About Sherman Oaks Hospital
Sherman Oaks Hospital, a member of Prime Healthcare Foundation, is a 153-bed, not-for-profit, acute-care community hospital located in Sherman Oaks, California. Staffed with over 500 employees and an extraordinary team of physicians, the hospital is recognized for advanced technology and compassionate care and provides 24/7 emergency care in addition to a full range of specialized medical, surgical, and diagnostic services to improve and save lives. Sherman Oaks Hospital is nationally recognized as a “100 Top Hospital” by IBM Watson Health. For more information, visit www.shermanoakshospital.org