2 West Virginia Hospitals Receive ‘F’ Grades for Patient Safety
Two hospitals in West Virginia have recently earned concerning “F” grades for patient safety, according to the latest Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades.
Two West Virginia hospitals—Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg and Rivers Health in Point Pleasant—have received “F” grades in patient safety from the latest Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. These ratings, issued by the independent national watchdog organization Leapfrog Group, highlight significant concerns about infection control, communication, and error prevention, placing both facilities among the lowest-ranked in the country.
Berkeley Medical Center
Located at 2500 Hospital Dr, Martinsburg, WV, Berkeley Medical Center has faced ongoing challenges with patient safety. It consistently underperformed in critical categories, including:
- Infection rates for C. diff and urinary tract infections
- Accidental surgical cuts and tears
- Dangerous bed sores and patient falls, including falls causing broken hips
- Safe medication practices and handwashing protocols
- Communication issues, particularly about medications and with doctors
Past Performance
Berkeley Medical Center’s record reveals a disturbing trend of low grades, receiving “D” ratings in every cycle since Spring 2021, with no grade improvement until the current “F.” This pattern underscores systemic issues that remain unaddressed.
Rivers Health
At 2520 Valley Drive, Point Pleasant, WV, Rivers Health also received an “F,” following slightly better “C” grades in previous evaluations. The hospital demonstrated deficiencies in areas such as:
- Preventing C. diff infections
- Handling harmful events and preventing bed sores
- Reducing dangerous blood clots
- Ensuring hand hygiene and safe medication practices
- Communication during discharge and between doctors and patients
Past Performance
Rivers Health has fluctuated between “C” and “D” grades in recent years, suggesting some attempts at improvement. However, its current “F” grade highlights a failure to sustain progress and address lingering safety concerns effectively.
Implications for Patients
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades provide essential insights into the safety and quality of care patients can expect. These alarming evaluations for Berkeley Medical Center and Rivers Health raise urgent questions about the measures in place to protect patients from preventable harm. For residents in these regions, these findings stress the importance of scrutinizing hospital safety when making healthcare decisions.
The Leapfrog Group encourages hospitals to prioritize safety improvements, such as enhanced infection control practices, better communication protocols, and adherence to established safety standards. However, the repeated low grades at these facilities indicate the need for more aggressive and systemic changes to ensure patient well-being.
For more information about the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades or to view other hospital rankings, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.
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