SARASOTA (April 29, 2021) – Sarasota Memorial Hospital continues to lead the region in quality and safety, earning a 5-star rating for overall quality from the federal government and another "A" for patient safety in The Leapfrog Group's hospital report cards released today.
The 5-star quality rating makes Sarasota Memorial the only hospital in Florida to consistently earn the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' highest quality award since the rating system launched in 2016. Less than 10% of 5,000-plus hospitals across the nation received 5 stars in the CMS ratings updated Wednesday.
Sarasota Memorial also retained its straight-A streak for patient safety, earning consecutive A’s in every grading cycle since it began participating in Leapfrog’s safety survey in 2016.
The only hospital rating program based exclusively on hospitals' prevention of medical errors and other harms to patients in their care, Leapfrog releases hospital report cards in the spring and fall of each year to help patients choose the safest hospitals to seek care. Of more than 2,700 hospitals graded this spring, 906 (33%) received an "A" grade; 24% received a "B;" 35% received a "C;" 7% received a "D;" and less than 1% received an "F."
"Hospitals with a consistent pattern of protecting patients from errors, accidents and injuries, like these straight 'A' hospitals, seem to have been more prepared when the pandemic hit," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "For many, safety and quality are embedded in their daily work at all levels of the organization, which prepared them in turn to respond to the rapidly evolving pandemic."
Lorrie Liang, president of the SMH-Sarasota campus, applauded the efforts of the entire healthcare team for achieving the twin awards, crediting staff's sustained focus on patient safety and dedication to delivering quality care.
"The commitment of our hospital staff, physicians and volunteers to this community has never been more evident than during this pandemic," Liang said. "No matter the challenge, they continue to pull together to provide the best care on the Suncoast."
David Verinder, president and CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, also credited the publicly elected Sarasota County Public Hospital Board and its longstanding public mission.
"Sarasota Memorial's culture has been built on decades of quality and safety," Verinder said. "The dedication, leadership and support of our Hospital Board has helped make SMH what it is today and continues to shape the future of our health system."
To access The Leapfrog Group’s full results, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org
To access the CMS Star Ratings, visit medicare.gov/care-compare
About Sarasota Memorial
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional referral center offering Southwest Florida's greatest breadth and depth of care, with more than 1 million patient visits each year. Its flagship 839-bed, acute-care hospital has been consistently recognized as one of the nation's largest and best, with superior patient outcomes and complete continuum of care - from trauma, emergency and urgent care services to laboratory and diagnostic imaging, home health, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. SMH is the only hospital in Florida to have consistently earned the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' highest 5-star quality award since the rating system launched in 2016.