Berkshire Medical Center Given Top Score for Patient Safety

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Medical Center was honored with an ’A’ Hospital Safety Score by the Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits. The Hospital Safety Score was calculated under the guidance of the Leapfrog Group’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel using publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. U.S. hospitals were assigned an A, B, C, D, or F for their safety.

“This important recognition is another example of Berkshire Health Systems’ strong commitment to continually improve the care we provide to our community,” said David Phelps, president and CEO of BHS. “This high mark for BMC from the Leapfrog Group is an objective measure of BMC’s status as a top performer in patient safety, and our community can be confident that the care they receive is second to none.”

“Health care professionals from across numerous disciplines at BMC strive to provide the highest quality care, day in and day out, dedicated to our organization’s mission to improve the health status of all who live in Berkshire County and surrounding communities,” added Diane Kelly, the hospital’s chief operating officer.

Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group, noted that “it’s the Leapfrog Group’s goal to give patients the information they need and deserve before even entering a hospital. We congratulate the hospitals that earned an A and we look forward to the day when all hospitals in the U.S. will earn the highest scores for putting patient safety first.”

To see BMC’s scores as they compare nationally and locally, visitwww.hospitalsafetyscore.org, the Hospital Safety Score Web site, which also provides information on how the public can protect themselves and loved ones during a hospital stay.