Lutheran Downtown Hospital and Bluffton Regional Medical Center Earn an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group
11/13/2025
Lutheran Downtown Hospital and Bluffton Regional Medical Center earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
“Receiving this ‘A’ rating from Leapfrog is a powerful affirmation of the daily dedication of our entire team. As our vibrant downtown community continues to grow, this rating assures both current and future residents that Lutheran Downtown Hospital is deeply committed to providing quality patient-centered care right here at home. We view this achievement not as an end but a renewed effort to maintain the highest standards of safety for every single patient,” said Perry Gay, chief executive officer of Lutheran Downtown Hospital.
“For a rural community, access to safe, quality healthcare close to home is absolutely essential. Receiving this ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group confirms that our hospital is meeting and exceeding the national standards. It’s the ultimate reassurance to our residents that: you don’t have to leave our community to get a high level of care. This achievement belongs to every staff member of Bluffton Regional Medical Center who treats our patients like family every day,” said Julie Thompson, chief administrative officer of Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
“Earning an ‘A’ Grade means Lutheran Downtown Hospital and Bluffton Regional Medical Center made a true commitment to put patient safety first,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We congratulate the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers that all had a role to play in this achievement.”
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