ESCANABA — Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group was named a Top Rural Hospital by The Leapfrog Group for the sixth time. Announced today, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is awarded by The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital watchdog organization.

“We are honored to have once again been named among this elite group of hospitals,” said Dave Lord, President of OSF St. Francis. “Being named a Top Hospital is a rewarding reflection of the work our physicians and staff do, and the exceptional care they provide for those we serve.”

Among thousands of hospitals in the country, OSF St. Francis Hospital received one of two Top Rural Hospital distinctions awarded in the State of Michigan and the only Top Rural Hospital distinction in the Upper Peninsula. The award is recognized nationally alongside:

– 13 Top Children’s Hospitals

– 35 Top General Hospitals

– 17 Top Rural Hospitals

– 53 Top Teaching Hospitals

Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.

“Being acknowledged as a Top Hospital is an incredible feat achieved by less than six percent of eligible hospitals nationwide,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “With this honor, OSF St. Francis Hospital has established its commitment to safer and higher quality care. Providing this level of care to patients in Delta County requires motivation and drive from every team member. I congratulate the board, staff and clinicians, whose efforts made this honor possible.”

To qualify for the Top Hospitals distinction, hospitals must submit a Leapfrog Hospital Survey and achieve highest performance in its category. The selection of Top Hospitals 2018 is based on surveys from nearly 1,900 hospitals. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2018 Top Hospitals, visit the website www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.