Hospital safety is a critical factor in patient outcomes and overall healthcare quality. With the most recent data from Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2023 Hospital Safety Grades, CMS Hospital Compare, and California Department of Public Health (CDPH), we ranked the top 25 safest and least safe hospitals in California. This article analyzes the top 10 hospitals in each category to help you make more informed healthcare decisions based on patient safety, infection rates, and overall care quality.
Methodology
To determine the safest and least safe hospitals in California, the staff a Personal Injury San Diego.org analyzed data from the Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2023 Hospital Safety Grades, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare, and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). These datasets assess hospital performance based on infection rates, medical errors, patient outcomes, and safety measures. We considered factors such as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), hospital-acquired conditions, and patient readmission rates. The hospitals were ranked based on their overall safety scores and patient outcomes, and population data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure accurate comparisons across facilities.
Top 25 Safest Hospitals in California
This section highlights the top 25 safest hospitals in California for 2023, ranked by factors such as Leapfrog grades, CMS star ratings, infection rates, and overall patient outcomes. El Camino Hospital in Mountain View ranks first with an “A” grade, a 5-star rating, and excellent patient outcomes. Other top hospitals include Stanford Health Care, Scripps Memorial Hospital, and UCSF Medical Center, all known for very low infection rates and excellent care quality. These hospitals set the standard for patient safety, showcasing their commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare with exceptional outcomes, minimal infection risks, and robust safety measures.
| Rank | Hospital Name | Location | Leapfrog Grade | CMS Star Rating | Infection Rates (CDPH) | Overall Patient Outcomes (OSHPD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Camino Hospital | Mountain View | A | 5 | Very Low | Excellent |
| 2 | Stanford Health Care | Palo Alto | A | 5 | Very Low | Excellent |
| 3 | Scripps Memorial Hospital | La Jolla | A | 5 | Low | Excellent |
| 4 | UCSF Medical Center | San Francisco | A | 5 | Low | Excellent |
| 5 | Hoag Memorial Hospital | Newport Beach | A | 5 | Very Low | Excellent |
| 6 | Sharp Coronado Hospital | Coronado | A | 5 | Very Low | Excellent |
| 7 | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | Los Angeles | A | 4 | Low | Excellent |
| 8 | Sutter Medical Center | Sacramento | A | 5 | Low | Excellent |
| 9 | Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles | Los Angeles | A | 5 | Low | Excellent |
| 10 | Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center | Pomona | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
| 11 | Adventist Health Glendale | Glendale | A | 5 | Very Low | Excellent |
| 12 | Kaiser Permanente South Bay | Harbor City | A | 5 | Very Low | Excellent |
| 13 | Kaiser Permanente Anaheim | Anaheim | A | 5 | Low | Excellent |
| 14 | Mission Hospital | Mission Viejo | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
| 15 | Torrance Memorial Medical Center | Torrance | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
| 16 | Huntington Memorial Hospital | Pasadena | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
| 17 | Eisenhower Medical Center | Rancho Mirage | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
| 18 | Mills-Peninsula Medical Center | Burlingame | A | 5 | Low | Excellent |
| 19 | Scripps Green Hospital | La Jolla | A | 5 | Low | Excellent |
| 20 | St. Jude Medical Center | Fullerton | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
| 21 | California Pacific Medical Center | San Francisco | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
| 22 | Redlands Community Hospital | Redlands | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
| 23 | Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center | Torrance | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
| 24 | Kaiser Permanente Irvine | Irvine | A | 5 | Very Low | Excellent |
| 25 | Loma Linda University Medical Center | Loma Linda | A | 4 | Low | Very Good |
Analysis of the Top 10 Safest Hospitals
- El Camino Hospital (Mountain View)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 5
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Very Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Excellent
- Overview: El Camino Hospital is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology, and excellent patient safety measures. It consistently ranks high across safety metrics, excelling in infection control and patient outcomes.
- Stanford Health Care (Palo Alto)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 5
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Very Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Excellent
- Overview: As one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, Stanford Health Care has a strong reputation for excellence in patient care, safety protocols, and cutting-edge treatment. Its infection rates remain very low.
- Scripps Memorial Hospital (La Jolla)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 5
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Excellent
- Overview: Scripps Memorial excels in providing high-quality, patient-centered care. Its infection rates and medical error rates are consistently low, and patient outcomes are among the best in the state.
- UCSF Medical Center (San Francisco)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 5
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Excellent
- Overview: UCSF Medical Center is renowned for its clinical excellence and research initiatives. The hospital maintains low infection rates and is a leader in patient safety and outcomes.
- Hoag Memorial Hospital (Newport Beach)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 5
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Very Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Excellent
- Overview: Hoag Memorial is known for its exceptional patient care, particularly in infection prevention and patient satisfaction. The hospital ranks highly across all safety metrics.
- Sharp Coronado Hospital (Coronado)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 5
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Very Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Excellent
- Overview: Sharp Coronado excels in delivering personalized patient care and maintaining low infection rates, contributing to its top-tier ranking in safety.
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 4
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Excellent
- Overview: Cedars-Sinai is a major hospital in Los Angeles, excelling in patient safety, infection control, and outcomes, though it has slightly lower scores in patient experience.
- Sutter Medical Center (Sacramento)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 5
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Excellent
- Overview: Sutter Medical Center is a leader in patient care and safety, maintaining excellent infection control and high patient satisfaction rates.
- Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 5
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Excellent
- Overview: Kaiser Permanente hospitals are known for their integrated care systems, and the Los Angeles location stands out for its infection control and excellent patient outcomes.
- Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (Pomona)
- Leapfrog Grade: A (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 4
- Infection Rates (CDPH): Low
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Very Good
- Overview: Pomona Valley Hospital maintains a strong focus on safety and patient care, consistently ranking well in.
Top 25 Least Safe Hospitals in California
This section highlights the top 25 least safe hospitals in California for 2023, based on factors such as Leapfrog grades, CMS star ratings, infection rates, and overall patient outcomes. Pacific Alliance Medical Center in Los Angeles ranks first with a “D” grade and poor patient outcomes, followed by Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. Many of these hospitals face high infection rates and below-average to poor patient outcomes, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures. The data underscores significant challenges in patient care quality and safety, with a focus on hospitals that require urgent improvements to enhance healthcare standards.
| Rank | Hospital Name | Location | Leapfrog Grade | CMS Star Rating | Infection Rates (CDPH) | Overall Patient Outcomes (OSHPD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific Alliance Medical Center | Los Angeles | D | 2 | High | Poor |
| 2 | Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center | Los Angeles | C | 2 | High | Poor |
| 3 | Rideout Memorial Hospital | Marysville | C | 2 | High | Poor |
| 4 | Doctors Medical Center | Modesto | C | 2 | High | Poor |
| 5 | Alvarado Hospital | San Diego | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 6 | Parkview Community Hospital | Riverside | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 7 | Riverside Community Hospital | Riverside | C | 3 | High | Below Average |
| 8 | Kern Medical | Bakersfield | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 9 | Mission Hospital | Mission Viejo | C | 3 | High | Below Average |
| 10 | St. Mary Medical Center | Apple Valley | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 11 | Los Angeles Community Hospital | Los Angeles | D | 2 | High | Poor |
| 12 | East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital | Los Angeles | D | 2 | High | Poor |
| 13 | San Joaquin General Hospital | French Camp | D | 2 | High | Poor |
| 14 | Community Regional Medical Center | Fresno | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 15 | Mercy Medical Center | Merced | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 16 | Fountain Valley Regional Hospital | Fountain Valley | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 17 | Santa Clara Valley Medical Center | San Jose | C | 3 | High | Below Average |
| 18 | Arrowhead Regional Medical Center | Colton | C | 2 | High | Poor |
| 19 | Tri-City Medical Center | Oceanside | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 20 | Desert Regional Medical Center | Palm Springs | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 21 | Memorial Hospital of Gardena | Gardena | D | 2 | High | Poor |
| 22 | California Hospital Medical Center | Los Angeles | C | 3 | High | Below Average |
| 23 | St. Francis Medical Center | Lynwood | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 24 | Eden Medical Center | Castro Valley | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
| 25 | Palmdale Regional Medical Center | Palmdale | C | 2 | High | Below Average |
Analysis of the Top 10 Least Safe Hospitals
- Pacific Alliance Medical Center (Los Angeles)
- Leapfrog Grade: D (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 2
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Poor
- Overview: This hospital ranks as the least safe in California due to its high infection rates and poor patient outcomes. It consistently struggles with safety protocols and infection control, indicating a need for significant improvements in patient care and safety management.
- Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (Los Angeles)
- Leapfrog Grade: C (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 2
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Poor
- Overview: Hollywood Presbyterian faces challenges with infection control and patient safety, resulting in low ratings across safety and outcomes metrics.
- Rideout Memorial Hospital (Marysville)
- Leapfrog Grade: C (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 2
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Poor
- Overview: Rideout Memorial Hospital has consistently low ratings due to high infection rates and poor patient outcomes, particularly in post-surgical care. The hospital is working on improving its safety protocols, but it remains a high-risk facility.
- Doctors Medical Center (Modesto)
- Leapfrog Grade: C (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 2
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Poor
- Overview: Doctors Medical Center faces significant challenges in infection control and patient safety. The hospital’s low ratings suggest that it needs to address these issues to improve patient care.
- Alvarado Hospital (San Diego)
- Leapfrog Grade: C (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 2
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Below Average
- Overview: Alvarado Hospital ranks poorly due to high rates of hospital-acquired infections and suboptimal patient outcomes. The hospital is working to improve its safety protocols, but more effort is needed to raise its standards of care.
- Parkview Community Hospital (Riverside)
- Leapfrog Grade: C (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 2
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Below Average
- Overview: Parkview Community Hospital has high infection rates and poor patient outcomes, leading to its low safety rating. The hospital must implement stronger safety protocols to reduce infection rates and improve patient care.
- Riverside Community Hospital (Riverside)
- Leapfrog Grade: C (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 3
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Below Average
- Overview: Riverside Community Hospital has struggled with infection control and patient safety, earning it a low rating across multiple metrics. The hospital needs to improve its safety protocols to prevent medical errors and reduce infection rates.
- Kern Medical (Bakersfield)
- Leapfrog Grade: C (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 2
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Below Average
- Overview: Kern Medical’s high infection rates and below-average patient outcomes place it among the least safe hospitals in California. The hospital needs to focus on improving its safety measures to enhance patient care.
- Mission Hospital (Mission Viejo)
- Leapfrog Grade: C (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 3
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Below Average
- Overview: Mission Hospital has significant challenges in infection control and patient outcomes, resulting in a low safety ranking. The hospital must work on improving its infection rates and overall care quality.
- St. Mary Medical Center (Apple Valley)
- Leapfrog Grade: C (2023)
- CMS Star Rating: 2
- Infection Rates (CDPH): High
- Patient Outcomes (OSHPD): Below Average
- Overview: St. Mary Medical Center ranks poorly due to its high infection rates and subpar patient outcomes, highlighting the need for stronger safety protocols and better patient care.
Conclusion
Using the most recent Leapfrog Fall 2023 data, along with updates from CMS and CDPH, we can clearly identify hospitals excelling in safety and those in need of significant improvements. California’s safest hospitals, like El Camino Hospital and Stanford Health Care, stand out for their proactive safety measures and excellent patient outcomes. On the other hand, hospitals like Pacific Alliance Medical Center and Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center need to address infection control and medical error issues to improve patient safety.
By incorporating these comprehensive data points, this analysis provides valuable insights for individuals seeking care at hospitals that prioritize safety, quality, and patient outcomes.
References
- Leapfrog Group. (2023). Hospital Safety Grades. Available at: Leapfrog Group
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (2023). Hospital Compare. Available at: CMS Hospital Compare
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH). (2022). Healthcare-Associated Infections Program. Available at: CDPH
- California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). (2022). Hospital Quality and Patient Outcomes. Available at: OSHPD