Montefiore News Releases

New York City, NY  (October 19, 2006) --  Montefiore Medical Center has been named one of the top hospitals in the country by the prestigious Leapfrog Group, a national organization that surveys hospitals on quality and patient safety standards.

Of the 59 hospitals selected on Leapfrog’s “Best Hospitals” list only three were named from New York State.  The selection again places Montefiore in the top one percent of hospitals in the country making the list.

“At Montefiore we strive constantly to be among the best,” said Spencer Foreman, MD, president of the medical center.  “This national designation recognizes our commitment to providing the highest quality care using the best and most advanced technology possible with highly skilled and compassionate physicians and staff.”

“Instead of just talking about improving healthcare quality, the Leapfrog Group has been taking innovative steps to support hospitals in doing it,” said Mark McClellan, administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  “The Leapfrog Hospital Quality and Safety Survey shows the benefits of better information about quality of care, and is helping Americans get better care and better value.”

“Every hospital in the country that is not publicly reporting on their quality and safety is behind the times and out of touch with the communities they serve,” said Suzanne Delbanco, CEO, The Leapfrog Group.  “Americans deserve to be able to make the best decisions about their healthcare,” she said.

The Leapfrog Hospital Quality and Safety Survey collects data from hospitals on their progress toward implementing practices in four categories:  Computer Physician
Order Entry systems; Staffing of Intensive Care Units with ICU intensivists; How well hospitals perform five high-risk procedures and care for two high-risk neonatal conditions; and How well are hospitals progressing on other Safe Practices issues?  Montefiore Medical Center received high marks in all areas.

The Leapfrog Group reports that if all non-rural hospitals in the US excelled in the four measurement areas, over 65, 000 lives could be saved annually and over 907,000 serious medication errors could be prevented.  Moreover, says the group, the US healthcare system could save about $41.5 billion annually.  

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