Logan Reid
Hospitals in Tucson, Arizona, are rated for safety by The Leapfrog Group, which issues bi-annual patient safety assessments. The Leapfrog Group's ratings are based on responses to survey questions and measures derived from billing data. Other ranking systems for hospitals in Tucson include HealthGrades and the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Hospital Compare.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Organization that rates Tucson hospitals for safety | Leapfrog Group |
| Tucson hospitals that received an "A" grade for patient safety | Banner University Medical Center-South, Northwest Medical Center |
| Tucson hospitals that received a "B" grade | Tucson Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center |
| Tucson hospital that received a "D" grade | Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital |
| Number of Arizona hospitals that received an "A" grade | 12 |
| Percentage of Arizona hospitals that received an "A" grade | 26% |
| Number of hospitals graded in Arizona | 46 |
| Breakdown of grades for Arizona hospitals | 33% ("A"), 25% ("B"), 34% ("C"), 8% ("D"), <1% ("F") |
| Number of hospitals graded nationwide | 2,600 |
| Percentage of hospitals graded nationwide that received a "B" or higher | 60% |
| Tucson hospital that is a Level I trauma center | Banner-University Medical Center Tucson |
| Tucson hospital that is a rehabilitation hospital | Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Northwest Tucson |
| Tucson hospital that is a children's medical center | Diamond Children's Medical Center |
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What You'll Learn
Patient safety metrics
Standardized Measures and Indicators:
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) to help hospitals measure and identify safety-related incidents. These PSIs provide a standardized set of process and outcome measures, allowing for comparisons across hospitals. For example, PSI 02 measures in-hospital deaths per 1,000 discharges for patients with low-mortality diagnoses, while PSI 08 focuses on the rate of hip fractures due to falls per 1,000 discharges.
Medication and Nursing Care:
Surgical Complications and Errors:
Hospitals monitor surgical complications and errors, such as accidental cuts or tears during procedures, objects left inside patients, and post-surgical infections. These adverse events are measured per 1,000 people discharged, helping hospitals identify areas for improvement in surgical safety.
Communication and Patient Perspective:
Effective communication is crucial for patient safety. Metrics may evaluate communication between staff and patients, including patients' perspectives on how well doctors explain procedures, listen to concerns, and treat them with respect.
Digital Quality Measures:
The transition to digital quality measures, such as electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs), is emphasized in initiatives like the CMS National Quality Strategy. These digital measures leverage information from electronic health records to improve patient safety measurement and interoperability.
Safety Interventions and Emerging Threats:
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Preventable medical errors
In Tucson, Arizona, the issue of preventable medical errors has been brought to light by local media investigations. These investigations revealed that while most area hospitals scored above average in patient safety, some hospitals, such as Banner University Medical Center, received a "C" grade. Furthermore, no Tucson hospital received an "A" rating from the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to patient safety.
The lack of transparency and mandatory reporting laws in Arizona makes it challenging for the public to assess preventable errors. Hospitals are not required to disclose information about their fatal medical errors, and medical malpractice lawsuits, which may bring some accountability, are increasingly difficult to pursue. This lack of transparency puts the public at a disadvantage when trying to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Some common preventable medical errors that have been identified in Tucson hospitals include:
- Outbreaks of MRSA and Clostridium difficile infections
- Surgical wounds splitting open
- Death from treatable serious complications, such as sepsis
- Serious breathing problems arising after surgery
- Unsafe medication administration
- Dangerous bed sores
- Poor communication between patients and doctors or nurses
- Lack of responsiveness from hospital staff
To address these issues, hospitals in Tucson are implementing various measures to improve patient safety. For example, hospitals closely monitor patients for signs of sepsis after surgery and follow strict procedures to prevent leaving objects inside patients during surgery. Additionally, hospitals are focusing on improving communication and responsiveness to quickly identify and address any complications that may arise.
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Surgical errors
Hospitals in Tucson, Arizona, are rated for patient safety and their ability to protect patients from errors, infections, injuries, and accidents. The Tucson Medical Center, for instance, has implemented procedures to prevent errors and improve patient safety. They prioritize appropriate antibiotic use before surgery, skin disinfection with antiseptic soap, and vigilant patient monitoring during and after major procedures to mitigate the risk of sepsis. Additionally, they address the issue of staph bacteria, particularly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), by emphasizing proper hand hygiene to prevent its spread.
Furthermore, the Tucson Medical Center recognizes the importance of adequate staffing in improving patient safety. They ensure that their intensive care units (ICUs) are staffed with intensivists—physicians with specialized training in critical care—which has been shown to reduce errors and lower death rates. The center also emphasizes effective communication between staff members to quickly identify and address serious complications that may arise after surgery.
While Tucson hospitals strive to improve patient safety, surgical errors can still occur. In such cases, victims of medical malpractice can seek legal assistance from firms like Khalidi Law Firm, PLLC, and Hollingsworth Kelly Law Firm, which have experience handling medical negligence cases in Arizona. These firms offer free consultations to evaluate claims and guide victims in seeking justice and compensation for their suffering.
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Patient satisfaction
The Leapfrog Group also assesses patient safety in hospitals through its bi-annual patient safety assessment. The Leapfrog Group's report card is based on responses to survey questions and billing data. However, the American Hospital Association has criticised the Leapfrog Group's methodology, arguing that the data is old and not adequately adjusted for differences in patients' underlying conditions.
In addition to these formal assessments, patient satisfaction is also evaluated through Patient Family Advisory Councils and clinical leaders' reviews of patient care processes. Hospitals aim to improve patient satisfaction by focusing on areas such as decreasing patient falls, reducing catheter use, and preventing hospital-acquired infections like MRSA.
While Tucson hospitals have not traditionally participated in the Leapfrog survey, two hospitals in the city received an "A" grade in the latest report: Banner University Medical Center-South and Northwest Medical Center. These hospitals were recognised for their careful attention to patient safety, including initiatives to prevent preventable errors, accidents, injuries, and infections.
Tucson hospitals have also been working to improve patient satisfaction. For example, the Northwest hospital officials have implemented measures to improve patient experience outcomes, resulting in a positive impact on patient safety.
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Hospital rankings
Leapfrog Group
The Leapfrog Group is a prominent organization that assesses patient safety in hospitals across the United States. Their bi-annual patient safety assessment provides a comprehensive evaluation of hospitals' performance in preventing harm and medical mistakes. In the fall of 2024, Tucson's community hospitals received varying grades, with two Bs, four Cs, and a D. Notably, Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital received the lowest grade of D, while Tucson Medical Center and Northwest Medical Center improved from a C to a B. However, in the spring of 2025, two Tucson hospitals, Banner University Medical Center-South and Northwest Medical Center, achieved the highest score possible, an "A" grade, in the Leapfrog Group's patient safety assessment.
US News Best Hospitals
US News Best Hospitals provides rankings for hospitals in the Tucson metropolitan area based on their performance in complex care and medical specialties, such as cancer treatment, as well as common procedures like knee replacement and heart failure. Banner-University Medical Center Tucson stands out as it is nationally ranked in one adult specialty. TMC Healthcare-Tucson and Banner-University Medical Center South are also recognized for their performance across all areas of care.
HealthGrades and CMS Hospital Compare
In addition to the Leapfrog Group and US News rankings, other ranking systems exist, such as HealthGrades and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Hospital Compare. These systems use different criteria and methodologies, resulting in varying scores for the same hospitals. As mentioned by a spokesperson, a hospital that receives a "B" grade in Leapfrog might receive a "D" in HealthGrades, highlighting the importance of considering multiple ranking systems for a comprehensive understanding of hospital performance.
While these rankings provide valuable insights into hospital safety and performance, it is essential to recognize that they are not static and hospitals continuously work to improve their practices. Additionally, the rankings should be considered alongside other factors, such as patient testimonials and personal experiences, to make informed decisions about healthcare choices.
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Frequently asked questions
Banner University Medical Center-South and Northwest Medical Center received an "A" grade in the Leapfrog Group's bi-annual patient safety assessment.
The Leapfrog Group is the nation's only rating focused entirely on patient safety. They release bi-annual patient safety scores based on how hospitals keep patients safe from preventable harm and medical mistakes.
Hospitals are graded on a scale from "A" to "F", with "A" being the highest grade. Grades are based on patient safety and performance on safe practices and process measures.
