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Ochsner Rush Medical Center receives an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group
New grade for spring 2026 is a national recognition for commitment to patient safety
MERIDIAN, Miss. – Ochsner Rush Medical Center has been awarded an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog dedicated to patient safety. This recognition places the medical center among the safest hospitals in the nation, reflecting its commitment to reducing errors, accidents, injuries, and infections while fostering a culture of patient-first care. This is the first time the facility has achieved an ‘A’ safety grade and it is the only hospital in east central Mississippi to currently hold this rating.
"This achievement is a testament to the hard work, expertise and unwavering dedication of the team at Ochsner Rush Medical Center," said Larkin Kennedy, chief executive officer of Ochsner Rush Health. "Earning an ‘A’ grade signifies not only our commitment to the highest standards of patient safety but also the trust and confidence of the community we serve."
“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that Ochsner Rush Medical Center is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital rating program that focuses exclusively on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that claim over 500 lives every day in the United States. Utilizing peer-reviewed methodology and over 30 measures of hospital safety practices, the grade is updated twice annually, ensuring full transparency for patients and families. Additionally, the grade reflects three years of data collection, showcasing a consistent dedication to achieving these metrics.
The efforts behind this accomplishment were further highlighted by Dr. Frederick Duggan, associate regional medical director at Ochsner Rush Health. "Quality and patient safety are at the core of everything we do. This recognition from The Leapfrog Group underscores the hard work and dedication of our medical staff and care teams who consistently uphold and exceed the highest standards,” said Dr. Duggan. “We are inspired to continue advancing our practices to provide outstanding, safe care to every patient who walks through our doors."
Ochsner Rush Medical Center is a 215-bed acute care facility and certified Level III Trauma Center. Its services include a 12-bed neonatal ICU, labor and delivery, diabetes management, joint replacements, robotic surgery, a full-capacity ICU and an intensive outpatient program for senior care. Ochsner Rush physicians and advanced practice providers specialize in diverse areas such as primary care, emergency medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, orthopedics and sports medicine, pain management, interventional pulmonary, vascular surgery and more.
Ochsner Rush Health strives to provide patients in east Mississippi and west Alabama with quality care and services within easy traveling distances. To explore the full details on Ochsner Rush Medical Center’s safety score and learn more about staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
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ABOUT OCHSNER RUSH HEALTH
Founded more than 100 years ago, Rush Health Systems joined Ochsner Health in 2022, making it part of the largest health system in the Gulf South. With its long legacy of medical innovation, quality care and service to others, Ochsner Rush Health is comprised of 7 hospitals and more than 30 clinics with 250 physicians and 95 advanced practice providers. For more information, please visit ochsnerrush.org.