HARKER HEIGHTS, TX (DECEMBER 18, 2024) – Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Seton Medical Center Harker Heights was named a Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog Group. Announced yesterday, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers known as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality. Top Hospitals will be honored tonight at the 2024 Leapfrog Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C.
“We strive to provide high quality, evidence-based and compassionate care to all of our patients,” said Dr. Bodie Correll, chief medical officer of Seton Medical Center Harker Heights. “We are very proud to receive Top Hospital recognition for the second straight year. This recognition, followed by being named a Straight A facility, emphasizes what our amazing team of providers and staff have accomplished.”
Nearly 2,400 hospitals were considered for the award. Among those, Seton Medical Center Harker Heights received a Top Teaching distinction. A total of 134 Top Hospitals were selected, including:
- 8 Top Children’s
- 36 Top General
- 15 Top Rural
- 75 Top Teaching
“Our nurses work hard to prevent infections, double check medications and keep patients free from harm,” said Mandy Shaiffer, chief nursing officer of Seton Medical Center Harker Heights. “Being recognized nationally, with 74 other hospitals, highlights our dedication to safety. We want to express our appreciation for our nurses, who provide companionate and high quality care to our community. Their commitment is a driving factor for this distinction.”
The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.
“Protecting patients from preventable harm is central to The Leapfrog Group’s mission,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Seton Medical Center Harker Heights has set the standard for patient safety, earning the prestigious distinction of a Top Hospital. This elite honor reflects the exceptional efforts of the entire team and places Seton Medical Center Harker Heights among the nation’s elite in health care. Congratulations to all who made this remarkable achievement possible.”
To qualify for the distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety, and achieve top performance in their category. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2024 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.
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