Berkshire Medical Center Earns ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Medical Center, the community teaching hospital of Berkshire Health Systems, has earned an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ ‘D,’ or ‘F’ grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.  

“The care and safety of our patients is paramount at Berkshire Medical Center,” said Dr. James Lederer, chief medical officer and chief quality officer for Berkshire Health Systems. “This ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade is a clear affirmation of the high quality of care provided by our healthcare team and a recognition of our commitment to excellence in serving the Berkshire community.” 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections, and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the U.S. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group. “I extend my congratulations to Berkshire Medical Center, its leadership, clinicians, staff, and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.”