[November 28, 2012]

EvergreenHealth Earns Top Rating for Outstanding Patient Safety Standards from The Leapfrog Group

EvergreenHealth today announced that it earned The Leapfrog Group's highest rating for hospital safety -- an "A" grade -- that places the Kirkland-based hospital and healthcare network among the top-performing medical centers in the nation for its patient-safety standards.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization and advocate for hospital transparency, assigns letter grades from A to F to hospitals throughout the country for their safety.

The Leapfrog Group compiles its annual Hospital Safety Scores based on preventable medical errors, injuries, accidents and infections. Scores are compiled under the guidance of the nation's leading experts on patient safety and are intended to empower patients with information to objectively evaluate local hospitals and make health care decisions for themselves and their families.

"Absolute patient safety is the most important aspect of the comprehensive care and service we deliver and we're honored to be among the organizations receiving top marks from Leapfrog. Our physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers are committed to ensuring our patients receive the highest level of care and service. We constantly look for ways to improve the patient experience through innovation and breakthrough care," said EvergreenHealth CEO Bob Malte.

EvergreenHealth has been previously recognized by The Leapfrog Group for its work in improving hospital efficiency, accuracy and overall patient safety across the organization, and for its success in reducing blood infection rates.

The Leapfrog Group calculates Hospital Safety Scores by evaluating publicly available safety data that details how often a hospital gives patients recommended treatment for a given medical condition or procedre, and considers the environment in which patients receive care. Hospital Safety Scores also take patient outcomes into account in determining final marks.

"Hospitals like this that earn an 'A' have demonstrated their commitment to their patients and their community," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group.

EvergreenHealth's Leapfrog score complements several other recent safety and quality achievements. Consumer Reports ranked EvergreenHealth in the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide and is named second in the state of Washington for patient safety. Most recently, the organization earned a nationally recognized Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation for the Puget Sound area. EvergreenHealth has also received two consecutive HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Awards™.

To compare EvergreenHealth's scores on a local and national level, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.

To learn more about EvergreenHealth, visit www.evergreenhealth.com or call the 24-hour Nurse Navigators and Healthline at 425.899.3000.

About EvergreenHealth

EvergreenHealth, a public hospital district and community-based healthcare organization established in 1972, offers a breadth of services and programs that is among the most comprehensive in the region. More than 950 physicians provide clinical excellence within more than 80 specialties, including cardiac, oncology, surgical care, orthopedics, a neuroscience institute, women's and children's services, hospice care, pulmonary care, a sleep disorders center and home care services. EvergreenHealth serves more than 400,000 residents in its primary service area of northern King and southern Snohomish counties with EvergreenHealth Primary Care, a network of primary and urgent care practices, and its main hospital campus in Kirkland, Wash. EvergreenHealth also provides emergency care at two sites; its main hospital campus and the EvergreenHealth Redmond Medical Center. In addition to clinical care, EvergreenHealth offers extensive community health outreach and education programs, anchored by EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigators and Healthline, a 24/7 nurse consultation service. For more information, visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

About The Leapfrog Group

The Leapfrog Group (www.leapfroggroup.org) is a national nonprofit organization using the collective leverage of large purchasers of health care to initiate breakthrough improvements in the safety, quality, and affordability of health care for Americans. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey allows purchasers to structure their contracts and purchasing to reward the highest performing hospitals. The Leapfrog Group was founded in November 2000 with support from the Business Roundtable and national funders, and is now independently operated with support from its purchaser and other members.

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