The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization committed to driving quality, safety, and transparency in the U.S. health care system, has released new Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, which assign A, B, C, D and F letter grades to hospitals nationwide.

Sacred Heart Hospital was one of 823 hospitals to receive an “A” for its commitment to reducing errors, infections, and accidents that can harm patients and the only hospital in Lehigh County awarded two consecutive “A” grades.

“Sacred Heart Hospital’s second “A” from The Leapfrog Group for patient safety shows the consistent commitment and dedication of our physicians, nurses and staff to always place patient safety and quality care as the top priorities for each and every patient,” said John Nespoli, President and CEO of Sacred Heart Hospital.

“Hospitals that earn top marks nationally in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, have achieved the highest safety standards in the country,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “That takes commitment from every member of the hospital staff, who all deserve thanks and congratulations when their hospitals achieve an ‘A’ Safety Grade.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

Sacred Heart Hospital is a Catholic medical center in Allentown. Founded in 1912, Sacred Heart Hospital offers a wide range of advanced medical services ranging from obstetrics to bariatric surgery, vascular surgery, cardiology, rehabilitation and behavioral health services.

A network of physician practices throughout Lehigh and Northampton counties provide complete primary and pediatric medical care to the region’s residents. Sacred Heart Hospital is ranked among the safest hospitals in the United States having received an “A” from the Leapfrog Group, and is a Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery.

To see Sacred Heart Hospital’s full grade, and to access consumer-friendly patient tips for staying safe in the hospital: hospitalsafetygrade.org.