IMPROVING THEIR PRACTICES: Archbold recently was awarded a “B” safety rating, improving from last year’s scores and showing their dedication to patient care.

THOMASVILLE— The Leapfrog Group recently revealed their score for Archbold Memorial Hospital, following a standard based review that measures processes, structures and alignment with existing national standards or performance targets.

Last year, Arcbhold received a “D” letter grade and vowed to make improvements, so they were beyond excited to receive a “B” this year.

“The latest recognition from Leapfrog highlights our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to the community,” said Julie Dumas, Archbold Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our healthcare professionals, staff and administration.”

According to Dumas, Leapfrog’s evaluation assesses various aspects of healthcare delivery, including patient outcomes, safety protocols, the quality of medical services and patient feedback.

In each category, hospitals can either achieve the standard, show considerable achievement, show some achievement or show limited achievement.

Achieved the standard is the highest a hospital can score in a category, while limited achievement is the lowest.

Patient-Centered Care and billing ethics both achieved the standard, along with many subcategories in preventing patient harm.

Unfortunately, Cesarean Sections still shows limited achievement.

According to The Leapfrog Group, a Cesarean Section is defined as a first-time mother giving birth to a single baby, at full-term, in the head down position. Hospitals should have a rate of C-section of 23.6% or less. Archbold is clocking in with Cesarean Sections taking place 37.1% of the time.

This is only narrowly down from the 37.4% of C-Sections that were reported last year in the same measure.

Despite this, Archbold has grown leaps and bounds in the Healthcare- Associated Infections.

C. Diffile infections, infections in the urinary tract and MRSA infections all show considerable achievement, compared to last year’s results of limited achievement in MRSA infections.

When it came time to review Archbold’s Complex Adult and Pediatric surgeries, the hospital saw considerable room for achievement.

On Open Aortic procedures, the hospital was given a limited achievement. It is recommended that the hospital perform at least 10 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 7 procedures annually.

This was also the case for Lung Resection for Cancer and Rectal Cancer Surgery.

Still, it cannot be understated what a huge achievement this was for Archbold to jump two letter grades. In the data provided, Archbold has not received a “B” since prior to 2020.

Dumas said this recognition encourages the hospital to continue to strive for even higher standards.

“Archbold continues to improve in all areas through enhanced physician, leadership and staff collaboration, increased system-wide transparency and alignment, and falls and wound prevention champions,” she said. “This recognition affirms our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare to our patients.”

Archbold will continue to use the information gained from the Leapfrog report, along with other various sources, including the CMS Star Rating on hospitalcompare.gov in order to provide the safest, most effective care possible.