Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC is one of only 13 pediatric hospitals in the nation named to The Leapfrog Group’s 2013 class of Top Hospitals, based on the results of a survey that measures hospitals’ performance in patient safety and quality.
While several agencies and organizations collect and publicize hospital quality data, the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, now in its 12th year, sets a high standard for comparing hospitals’ performance on the national standards of safety, quality and efficiency that are most relevant to consumers and purchasers of care. The survey provides a comprehensive picture of how patients fare, what resources are used to care for patients, and how management promotes safety and quality.
“Our primary goal is to deliver the highest quality of care in the safest, most efficient manner possible utilizing state-of-the-art technology and a family centered care philosophy,” said Christopher Gessner, president, Children’s Hospital. “Being named a Leapfrog Top Hospital is an indicator that we are well on our way to achieving that goal.”
Children’s is a pioneer in the development and use of an electronic medical record (EMR) system, which was implemented in 2002. This system, which electronically stores each patient’s full medical history, has drastically reduced potential medical errors and streamlined processes, making Children’s one of the nation’s most progressive children’s hospitals.
“The field of hospitals considered for this year’s elite Leapfrog Top Hospital distinction was more competitive than ever. By achieving the Top Hospital accolade, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC has demonstrated exemplary performance across all areas of quality and patient safety that are analyzed on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey,” said Leah Binder, president and chief executive officer of The Leapfrog Group.
Children’s was selected as a Top Hospital out of a record number 1,324 hospitals participating in The Leapfrog Group’s annual survey. The list includes 22 Top Rural Hospitals, 55 Top Urban Hospitals, and 13 Top Children’s Hospitals. The selection is based on the results of the Leapfrog Group’s annual hospital survey, which measures hospitals’ performance on patient safety and quality, focusing on three critical areas of hospital care: how patients fare, resource use, and management structures in place to prevent errors.
