Piedmont Macon Medical Center and Piedmont Macon North Hospital continue their streak of “A” Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group. This national distinction recognizes the hospitals’ commitment to safety and achievements in preventing harm to their patients.

Piedmont Macon Medical received its 12^th consecutive top grade, while Piedmont Macon North has received eight A’s in a row. General hospitals across the country are given an A, B, C, D or F each spring and fall.

“Receiving top grades at both hospitals is a testament to our staff’s commitment to delivering the kind of high-quality care our patients have come to expect,” said Stephen J. Daugherty, CEO of Piedmont Macon. “This achievement is made possible by our team of physicians, nurses and essential staff who aim to make a positive difference in the lives of the patients who entrust us every day with that responsibility.”

Gary Bernstein, M.D., who serves as chief medical officer for both Piedmont hospitals in Macon, said sustaining the top Leapfrog grade for so long showcases the kind of care Piedmont Macon provides its patients.

“When you see continued success in maintaining the highest Leapfrog scores, that indicates ‘quality, safety and service’ is something that’s engrained in who we are as a healthcare organization,” Dr. Bernstein said. “I continue to be very proud of these two hospitals.”

The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit watchdog that sets standards for excellence in patient care and has assigned letter grades to hospitals for more than a decade. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on multiple national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems that hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

Visit www.HospitalSafetyGrade.org for Piedmont Macon Medical and Piedmont Macon North’s full grade details, as well as finding out more about the Leapfrog Group and its methodology.