Deborah Hospital Earns National Recognition From Leapfrog

Deborah Heart and Lung Center has been recognized among the top hospitals in the country by a national nonprofit organization, the health system announced.

The Pemberton-based health system was named a Top Teaching Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group. The rankings were released on Tuesday.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition,” Deborah President and CEO Joseph Chirichella said. “Deborah prides itself on its quality and safety, and having the Leapfrog organization present us with this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at our organization.”

The hospital was among 72 hospitals that were recognized as Top Teaching Hospitals. Additionally, there were 46 Top General Hospitals listed from among the 2,200 hospitals that Leapfrog considered. There were 23 Top Rural Hospitals listed, as well as eight Top Children’s Hospitals.

The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication and other errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.

“We are pleased to recognize Deborah Heart and Lung Center as a Top Hospital this year,” Leapfrog President and CEO Leah Binder said. “Even with the continued strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deborah Heart and Lung Center has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to excellent health care in the Delaware Valley Region. We congratulate the board, leadership, staff and clinicians who put their patients first.”

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. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2021 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving 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.