New York City Hospitals Score High in Patient Safety Ratings

In a recent evaluation of hospitals in the New York City area, twenty facilities achieved top ratings for patient safety while six others lagged behind. A new report by a watchdog group has shed light on these assessments.

Hospitals under the banners of NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwell Health, NYU Langone Health, and Mount Sinai Queens received an “A” safety rating from the Leapfrog Group on Thursday.

Out of approximately 3,000 hospitals across the United States, they were graded from “A” to “F” based on their performance in preventing medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections.

NYU Langone Health proudly noted that its hospitals rank among only 1% of institutions nationwide to have garnered 11 consecutive “A” ratings from the Leapfrog Group. This prestigious rating applies to Tisch Hospital and Kimmel Pavilion in Manhattan, as well as NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn and Long Island.

Dr. Alec C. Kimmelman, the Dean and CEO of NYU Langone Health, emphasized, “Our strong reputation is built on our commitment to safe, high-quality patient care. This recognition from Leapfrog is invaluable to patients making healthcare decisions.”

NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, along with NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, and Huntington Hospital, also earned an “A” grade. A representative from NewYork-Presbyterian remarked that their “dedicated care team” made this achievement possible.

The statement continued, “Safety is central to our mission. We adhere to strict safety protocols and employ best practices from leading medical societies.”

Dr. Cameron R. Hernandez, president and COO of Mount Sinai Queens, mentioned that the “A” rating reflects their team’s commitment to excellence in patient safety. He noted that all staff consistently uphold high standards for quality care, ensuring a safe experience for every patient.

When looking at the broader picture, New York ranks 30th in the nation, with 23.1% of hospitals receiving an “A” rating. Interestingly, that’s a slight improvement from 31st place in the spring when 25.2% of hospitals were rated “A.”

The Leapfrog Group releases these report cards biannually.

However, not all hospitals fared well; Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Interfaith Medical Center, NYC Health+ Hospitals/Kings County, and Woodhull facilities in Brooklyn, along with St. John’s Episcopal Hospital and Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital on Long Island, received a “D” grade.

Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital expressed, “Providing safe patient care is our top priority. We remain dedicated to aligning our systems and policies with industry standards.” They also highlighted their low rates of infections and postoperative complications as evidence of their commitment to safety.

Unfortunately, two hospitals in New York—a facility in Plattsburgh and another in Niagara Falls—failed the assessment entirely.

In a comparative context, New Jersey shines with 52.2% of its hospitals awarded an “A” rating, which places it third nationally. Connecticut follows closely behind at fourth, with half of its hospitals achieving the same rating. Utah and Virginia lead the list, whereas Iowa, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming do not boast any “A” hospitals.

A-Rated Hospitals in the New York City Area

• Glen Cove Hospital
• Huntington Hospital
• Long Island Jewish Forest Hill
• Long Island Jewish Valley Stream
• Mother Hospital
• Mount Sinai Queens
• New York Presbyterian Allen Hospital
• NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
• NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center
• NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
• New York Presbyterian Westchester
• NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center
• Northern Westchester Hospital
• Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital
• New York City Healthcare and Hospitals — Queens
• New York University Langone Hospital — Brooklyn
• New York University Langone Hospital — Long Island
• New York University Langone Hospital
• Peconic Bay Medical Center
• Plainview Hospital
• South Shore University Hospital
• Siena Saint Catherine Hospital
• St. Charles Hospital
• St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center
• White Plains Hospital