In a remarkable achievement, TidalHealth Nanticoke and TidalHealth Peninsula Regional have both earned an “A” grade in the Fall 2024 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report. This prestigious designation from The Leapfrog Group highlights the exceptional efforts both hospitals have made in protecting patients from preventable harm, providing safer healthcare, and ensuring high-quality care.
TidalHealth Nanticoke's use of the Epic documentation system led to a perfect 100% score in the Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) measure, a critical area of focus for patient safety. CPOE ensures accuracy in medication orders, including drug selection, dosage, and frequency, which is key to preventing medication errors.
“Safety is foremost for all healthcare providers, and improving that rating at TidalHealth Nanticoke to an ‘A’ is an outstanding achievement,” said Dr. Steve Leonard, President/CEO of TidalHealth. He emphasized that the success is a result of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that involves clinical and non-clinical partners working together to improve care and safety. “Key contributors like our pharmacy staff, who played an instrumental role in reducing infections, and our IT team, which ensures the smooth operation of critical systems, are integral to these successes,” he added.
TidalHealth’s accomplishments extend beyond the Leapfrog ratings. TidalHealth Nanticoke was recently awarded a 5-Star ranking by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this year, marking it as the only hospital in Delaware to achieve this prestigious distinction. Additionally, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional was named one of the nation’s top hospitals in vascular surgery and spine surgery, earning accolades in the 2025 Healthgrades Star Report.
Meanwhile, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, located in Salisbury, Maryland, achieved an “A” grade for four consecutive ratings periods, marking a consistent track record of excellence in patient safety. TidalHealth Nanticoke, in Seaford, Delaware, joins its sister hospital with the same honor, making TidalHealth the highest-rated health system in the region for patient care and safety.
This achievement is no small feat, as the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns grades based on more than 30 national performance measures. These include metrics on preventable errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. Hospitals with an “A” grade demonstrate a sustained commitment to safety and quality, which is vital in a healthcare setting.
Dr. Debra Sheets, Vice President of Organizational Effectiveness and Corporate Compliance Officer at TidalHealth, explained the continuous improvements seen in both hospitals. At TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, the hospital achieved strong results in infection rate reductions and sustained excellent performance across other safety measures.
Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, congratulated TidalHealth on their impressive achievement. "Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to their patients and families," she said. "The entire Delmarva Peninsula should be proud of TidalHealth, its leadership, clinicians, staff, and volunteers for their tireless efforts to put patients first."
For both hospitals, this “A” grade is not just a recognition; it's a symbol of their ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of the community. It underscores TidalHealth's position as a leader in patient safety and quality healthcare, setting the bar high for hospitals in the region.
As the only hospital on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and one of just two in Delaware to receive this top rating, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and TidalHealth Nanticoke continue to demonstrate that patient care and safety are at the heart of everything they do. The entire community can take pride in knowing that their hospitals are consistently recognized for excellence in safety and patient care.
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