UNC REX Healthcare Earns 2020 Leapfrog Top Hospital Award for Quality and Safety
UNC REX recognized as one of the nation’s top teaching hospitals in Leapfrog ranking
RALEIGH, N.C. – Dec. 8, 2020 – UNC REX Healthcare has been named one of the nation’s Top Hospitals for 2020 by The Leapfrog Group, an elite achievement based on the highest standards for quality and safety.
Only 105 hospitals nationwide were chosen for this year’s award, out of more than 2,200 hospitals that were considered. UNC REX was selected as one of 48 hospitals in the “Teaching Hospital” category.
“UNC REX is proud to accept this Leapfrog award, especially as we near the end of a challenging year for all of our co-workers,” said Ernie Bovio, president of UNC REX. “During the pandemic, they have worked tirelessly to provide outstanding care for all patients and do our part to fight coronavirus.”
Leapfrog is a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers focused on health care safety and quality, and is known for its hospital safety grades. Its Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors U.S. hospitals can receive.
UNC REX is the only hospital in North Carolina – and one of only 32 hospitals nationwide – to receive straight As since Leapfrog began grading hospitals for safety in 2012.
UNC REX has evolved from a community hospital serving mostly Raleigh and surrounding communities into a top regional medical center providing specialized care for patients from across Eastern North Carolina. UNC REX’s education initiatives include cardiology, vascular and urogynecology fellows; medical students who work with the Hospitalist team; and students studying nursing, pharmacy, radiology, EMT and more.
Leapfrog used the quality of patient care across many areas in establishing the qualifications for its Top Hospital award, including infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.
“Being recognized as a Top Hospital is an extraordinary feat and we are honored to recognize UNC REX this year,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Despite the extraordinary pressure and strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNC REX has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to patients and to its community. We congratulate the staff and clinicians whose efforts made this honor possible.”
To qualify for the Top Hospitals distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety, and achieve top performance in its category. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2020 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.
About UNC REX Healthcare
For 125 years, UNC REX Healthcare has provided expert care for the Wake County community and surrounding areas. With more than 7,400 co-workers, UNC REX is a private, not-for-profit health care system and is a member of UNC Health. UNC REX provides various health care services throughout Wake County with facilities in Apex, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Wakefield and Raleigh. To learn more, click here.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information, they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.
