BANGOR — Hospitals’ highest priority is keeping patients safe from preventable mistakes. On Nov. 15, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center received the top patient safety score, an A grade, from The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Score.
The medical center has earned a consistent A ranking since spring 2023 and has seen clear improvements in recent years in preventable errors, including hospital acquired injuries, catheter associated infections, central line infections, pressure injuries, and post-surgical events. Physicians, nurses, and quality improvement teams work together to enhance educational materials and encourage patients to play a more active role in their wellness after leaving the operating room. Data shows that patients who are more engaged in their care see better results after surgery, and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center continues to see post-surgical outcomes that meet or exceed the national average.
“This A grade reinforces that safety is always top of mind at our medical center,” says Elizabeth Perry, MPH, CPHQ, director, quality, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. “Staff are empowered to bring a concern forward at any time. It’s not only encouraged, its expected, so we can track issues and look at ways to adjust our processes, because we’re always on a journey of continuous improvement.”
The Leapfrog Group releases letter ratings twice a year based on publicly reported data shared with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
