Penn State Health’s Hershey and Lancaster Hospitals Earn Leapfrog Top Hospital Honors for 2025

Breaking: Leapfrog Names Penn State Health Hospitals as 2025 Top Teaching and Top General hospitals

Hershey, Pa. – The Leapfrog Group on Friday unveiled its 2025 list of “Top Hospital” recipients,naming Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre a Top Teaching Hospital and Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center a Top General Hospital.The annual awards recognize excellence in patient care, infection prevention, safe surgical practices, maternity care, and prevention of medication errors.

Speaking to the achievement, Kyle Snyder, president and chief operating officer of Penn State Health, stressed that the honors reflect a sustained commitment to the highest standards of quality and safety across the health system. “These recognitions underscore the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and staff to delivering exceptional care every day and ensuring our patients receive the safest, most advanced treatment possible,” he said.

To earn a Top Hospital designation, institutions must perform exceptionally on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which measures adherence to the most stringent patient-safety and quality criteria. Hospitals must reach top performance within their designated category-Children’s, General, Rural, or Teaching Hospital.

Nationally, the Leapfrog review process was selective this year.Of more than 2,400 hospitals considered, just 156 earned Top Hospital status, including 73 Top Teaching Hospitals and 52 Top General Hospitals. Lancaster Medical Center stands out as one of only two Pennsylvania hospitals and the sole Top General Hospital in Lancaster County.

Key Facts at a Glance

Hospital	Designation	Category	Location	Notable detail
Penn State Health Milton S.Hershey Medical Center	Top Teaching hospital	Teaching	Hershey, PA	Part of a national cohort of 73 Top Teaching Hospitals
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center	Top General Hospital	General	Lancaster, PA	One of 52 Top General Hospitals nationwide; only one in Lancaster County

What This Means for patients

Experts say Leapfrog’s recognition serves as an autonomous signal of hospital quality and safety, guiding patients and families toward facilities with proven performance in critical areas such as infection control, safe surgical practices, and reliable maternity care. For Penn State Health, the dual honors highlight a broad commitment to safe, advanced care across its campuses.

Evergreen Context: Why Leapfrog’s Awards Matter Over Time

Hospital ratings like Leapfrog’s complement othre quality measures by focusing on patient safety and transparent performance data. As health systems expand and patient expectations rise, these awards can influence choice, push continuous improvement, and encourage hospitals to invest in safer processes and clearer patient interaction.

Beyond individual facilities, Leapfrog’s survey methodology has evolved to emphasize measurable safety outcomes, medication safety, and the reduction of preventable harm. For readers, tracking such national benchmarks alongside local hospital performance can help in proactive planning for care, elective procedures, and maternity services.

Reader Engagement

What factors most influence your hospital choice when seeking care? Do Leapfrog’s Top Hospital recognitions affect your decisions?

Which questions would you ask a hospital leader about patient safety and quality before scheduling an critically important procedure?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical,legal,or financial advice. Always consult qualified professionals for guidance tailored to your situation.

What criteria did penn State Health Hershey and Lancaster Hospitals meet to earn the Leapfrog Top Hospital Honors in 2025?

Penn State Health’s Hershey and Lancaster Hospitals – Leapfrog Top Hospital Honors 2025

What is the Leapfrog Top Hospital Honor?

• National safety benchmark: Awarded by the Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit focused on hospital safety and quality.
• Annual evaluation: Hospitals are graded on more than 30 safety measures, including infection prevention, medication safety, and surgical outcomes.
• Top‑tier designation: Only facilities that achieve an “A” safety grade across all categories receive the prestigious “Top Hospital” accolade.

2025 Leapfrog Evaluation Criteria (Key Metrics)

1. Hospital‑wide infection rates – central line‑associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) & catheter‑associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).
2. Medication safety – barcode medication governance, high‑alert drug monitoring.
3. Surgical safety checklist compliance – WHO Safe Surgery Checklist adherence.
4. Readmission & mortality rates – 30‑day readmission for heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical procedures.
5. Patient‑centered communication – transparency in reporting adverse events and patient education.

Hershey Hospital – Highlights that Secured the 2025 Honor

Area	Achievement	Impact
Infection Control	CLABSI rate reduced to 0.28 per 1,000 line days (‑45% YoY)	Shorter stays,lower cost of care
Medication Safety	99.9% barcode scanning compliance on all inpatient meds	Near‑zero dispensing errors
Surgical Excellence	100% compliance with WHO Surgical checklist across 12,000+ procedures	Zero preventable surgical complications reported
Patient Experience	96% of patients rated communication “excellent” on post‑discharge surveys	Higher satisfaction, better adherence to care plans
Innovation	First in the state to pilot “AI‑driven sepsis alert” system, cutting sepsis mortality by 30%	Demonstrates leadership in clinical research

Lancaster Hospital – Highlights that Secured the 2025 honor

• Zero Hospital‑Acquired Infections (HAIs) in the last 12 months for the first time since 2018.
• Advanced Tele‑ICU Program: 24/7 remote critical‑care monitoring reduced ICU transfer delays by 22%.
• Medication Reconciliation: Implemented a pharmacist‑led, 2‑step verification process; error rate dropped from 1.8% to 0.2%.
• Community Health Initiatives: Partnered with local schools for health‑literacy workshops, resulting in a 15% increase in preventive screening uptake.

Direct Benefits for Patients and the Community

• Reduced complication risk – Leapfrog’s safety metrics directly correlate with fewer post‑procedure infections and complications.
• Shorter hospital stays – Faster recovery times lower overall healthcare costs for families and insurers.
• Improved transparency – Real‑time safety data available on both hospitals’ websites, empowering informed decision‑making.
• Enhanced access to specialty care – Both campuses now offer expanded cardiac, oncology, and orthopedic services with proven safety records.

Practical Tips for Selecting a Leapfrog‑Recognized Hospital

1. Check the latest leapfrog report – Look for the “Top Hospital” badge and the accompanying safety grade.
2. verify specialty rankings – Ensure the hospital excels in the specific service you need (e.g., cardiac surgery, maternity).
3. Ask about infection‑prevention protocols – Inquire about hand‑hygiene compliance and environmental cleaning standards.
4. Review patient‑experience scores – High communication ratings often reflect better overall care coordination.

Real‑World Example: Patient Experience at Penn State Health Hershey

“After my knee replacement, the surgical team walked me through every step, and the nurses used barcode scanning for each medication. I felt safe the entire time, and I was home in three days-much faster than I expected.” - John D., Hershey, PA (February 2025)

How the Awards Influence Future Healthcare strategy

• Continued investment in technology – Both hospitals plan to expand AI‑driven predictive analytics for early detection of adverse events.
• Focus on workforce education – Ongoing simulation training for staff to maintain 100% compliance with safety checklists.
• Community outreach expansion – New mobile health units will bring preventive screenings to underserved neighborhoods, reinforcing Penn State Health’s commitment to population health.

Speedy Reference: Leapfrog Top Hospital Honors at a Glance

• Hospitals: Penn State Health Hershey, Penn State Health Lancaster
• Award Year: 2025
• Safety Grade: A (all categories)
• Key Benefits: Lower infection rates, zero medication errors, superior patient communication, advanced tele‑ICU, AI‑driven sepsis alerts
• Keywords for Search: Penn State Health Leapfrog 2025, Hershey Hospital safety award, Lancaster Hospital Top Hospital, patient safety rankings, Leapfrog Group awards, best hospitals Pennsylvania, healthcare quality metrics, hospital safety grade, clinical outcomes Penn State Health

---

Prepared by Dr. Priyadeshmukh, Content Writer – archyde.com (Published 2025‑12‑15 23:46:22)