UAB Hospitals Given Top Marks On Patient Safety
UAB Hospital and UAB Highlands Hospital each scored an “A” on a national nonprofit’s patient safety assessment released Tuesday.
The Leapfrog Group rated about 2,500 hospitals across the country based on publicly available data. A panel of experts graded the hospitals on 27 criteria, including bedsores, patient falls, infections, objects left in patients’ bodies, hand washing, computer system reliability, communication with patients, and adequate nursing staff.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades come out twice a year. This is the third consecutive time UAB and UAB Highlands scored A’s.
Five other hospitals in Alabama also received A’s: Shelby Baptist Medical Center; Vaughan Regional Medical Center; Russell Medical Center; South Baldwin Regional Medical Center; and Mobile Infirmary Medical Center.
The most common grade in the state and the nation was C. The lowest grade in Alabama was a D — Stringfellow Memorial Hospital in Anniston.
According to its website, the Leapfrog Group is “committed to driving quality, safety, and transparency in the U.S. health system.”
You can check the grades of any participating hospital and the reasons for them, or search by state or city here.
Here are grades for other Birmingham-area hospitals:
— Brookwood Baptist Medical Center: B
— Grandview Medical Center: B
— Medical West Hospital Authority (a UAB affiliate in Bessemer): C
— Princeton Baptist Medical Center: C
— St. Vincent’s Birmingham: B
— St. Vincent’s East: C
— Walker Baptist Medical: B
Cartagena’s iconic horse carriages give way to electric buggies
Cartagena, Colombia, is set to ban its iconic horse-drawn carriages, replacing them with electric buggies — a move dividing the historic city over tradition, tourism, and animal welfare.
On winter’s coldest days, this classic Kashmiri coat offers warmth — and wisdom
In Kashmir, December 21 is said to mark the start of the 40 harshest days of winter. A woolen robe called a pheran is key to keeping warm — and a reminder of how to face and overcome hardships.
A radio station in Amsterdam is a lifeline for Sudan. After USAID cuts, it’s faltering
Budget cuts threaten the future of Amsterdam-based Radio Dabanga, which has served as an information lifeline for Sudanese people about their war-torn country.
9 killed, 10 wounded in South African pub shooting
Authorities report that nine people have died and at least 10 others are injured after a shooting at a South African pub. The incident occurred early Sunday in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg.
‘Congress is in a coma.’ Former lawmakers sound alarm on health of the House
Congress is wrapping up the year without a lot of legislative accomplishments under its belt and a growing list of lawmakers who are retiring. Former members say the challenges on Capitol Hill have been brewing for a long time.
Russia says talks on US peace plan for Ukraine ‘are proceeding constructively’
A Kremlin envoy says peace talks in Florida on a U.S.-proposed plan to end the war in Ukraine are proceeding constructively, after U.S. meetings with Ukrainian and European officials in Berlin.
