Haywood Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint hospital, has again received an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, marking the facility’s second consecutive top rating following an ‘A’ in spring 2025. The designation reflects performance on nationally standardized measures that evaluate how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm, including medication errors, infections, and complications.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is issued twice each year and is based on more than 30 indicators that assess both outcomes and the systems hospitals have in place to support safe care. The rating methodology is peer-reviewed and transparent, allowing patients and community members to view data that contributes to each hospital’s score.

The repeat ‘A’ underscores the persistent work happening throughout the facility to uphold strong safety practices and maintain dependable processes that support patients and families.

“We are proud to receive our second consecutive ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group,” said Sue Shugart, FACHE, CPPS, chief executive officer of Haywood Regional Medical Center. “This recognition reflects the daily commitment of our teams, whose focus remains on providing care that is safe, steady, and centered on the people we serve. I appreciate the professionalism and dedication they bring to every patient interaction.”

The hospital continues to advance its safety culture through collaboration across clinical and support departments, strengthened communication practices, and the ongoing use of data to guide decisions. These efforts support organizational consistency and help ensure that patients experience coordinated, attentive care.

Aligned with its mission of making communities healthier, Haywood Regional Medical Center remains focused on consistent, dependable care and on partnering with patients and families to support safe experiences throughout the organization.