Spring Safety Ratings Out – 6 Missouri Hospitals Given a D Grade

I am not an expert in many things, but when it comes to getting a D grade, I am a master. That's why it's appropriate that I am the messenger to share the word that new hospital safety grades have just been released and 6 Missouri medical facilities were given a big fat D.

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is one of the industry standards in analyzing what kind of job medical facilities do when it comes to protecting patients. It's important to define what they're referring to when they talk about safety, though. Their methodology says they use "22 evidence-based measures of patient safety, including CMS Medicare PSI 90 Patient Safety and Adverse Events composite (which includes 10 component measures of patient safety)". Specifically, their grades refer to "Errors, Injuries, Accidents, Infections".

The new Spring ratings for Missouri hospitals include some real surprises some of which are a shock to me personally as I have many friends and family that either work there or have in the past. But, they're included in this list because it wouldn't be fair to omit them just because I have personal connections.

Freeman Health System - 1102 West 32nd Street - Joplin, MO 64804-3503

Hannibal Regional Hospital - 6000 Hospital Dr - Hannibal, MO 63401-6749

Ozarks Healthcare - 1100 N Kentucky Avenue West Plains, MO 65775-1100

SSM Health DePaul Hospital-St. Louis - 12303 De Paul Dr - Bridgeton, MO 63044-2512

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital - 1201 S Grand Blvd - Saint Louis, MO 63104

SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton -1015 Bowles Ave - Fenton, MO 63026-2394

I'd like to add a personal note. Even though I was given the nickname of "Doc" almost 40 years ago, I am NOT a doctor. I am however a person who has had many family members cared for by the Hannibal Regional Hospital healthcare system and we have NEVER had a bad experience. My mom and dad received care near the end of their lives there and I have no regrets. I add this simply because you should never make a medical decision based on lists like this. They are a good resource, but should only be a jumping off point so you have as much information as possible to move forward and decide who you're trusting your care to.