Butler Memorial Hospital Awarded Spring 2023 ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group

BUTLER – Butler Memorial Hospital received their 8th consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.

This national distinction celebrates Butler Memorial Hospital’s achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. The new grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic.

“We believe that this recognition is a testament to our sustained commitment to quality care outcomes and patient safety,” said Ken DeFurio, Butler Health System President & CEO. “This happens only with a dedicated care team at every level. I am extremely proud of them. I’m sure our community is too.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“This new update of Hospital Safety Grades shows that, at the national level, we saw deterioration in patient safety with the pandemic,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “But this hospital received an ‘A’ despite those challenges. I congratulate all the leaders, staff, volunteers and clinicians who together made that possible.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To see Butler Memorial Hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook and via its newsletter.

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 for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC 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. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.

BUTLER HEALTH SYSTEM & EXCELA HEALTH PHYSICIANS NAMED AMONG TOP DOCTORS IN PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE

BUTLER, PA May 3, 2023: Physicians at Butler Health System and Excela Health are once again among western Pennsylvania’s top doctors, as featured in Pittsburgh Magazine. Annually, Pittsburgh Magazine publishes data compiled by Castle Connolly, providing consumers with a highly credible resource from which to help make informed decisions when choosing a physician.

“On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to congratulate these outstanding clinicians for being named Top Doctors in Pittsburgh Magazine,” said Ken DeFurio, President & CEO of the newly merged Butler Health System and Excela Health. “This distinction is an apt reflection of the caliber and capabilities of the entire medical staff throughout our system.”

Receiving the Top Doctors designation in 2023 are:

• Marco Cavagna, MD, PhD Butler Health System Cardiac Electrophysiology
• George Davliakos, MD Butler Health System Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery
• Michael Szwerc, MD, FACS Excela Health Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery
• Lance Brunton, MD Excela Health Orthopedic Surgery
• Daniel Leigey, MD Excela Health Orthopedic Surgery
• Kevin Leighton, MD Butler Health System Primary Care
• Daniel Gagné, MD, FACS, FASMBS Butler Health System Surgery
• Mark Zelkovic, MD, FACS Excela Health Surgery
• Kevin Traub, MD Butler Health System Urology

The selection process consists of rigorous and unbiased research, identifying doctors who embody excellence in clinical and interpersonal skills including listening, communicating, demonstrating empathy, and instilling patients with trust and confidence. Nominations are submitted to Castle Connelly for review by other licensed physicians. To learn more about the Castle Connolly selection process, visit www.castleconnolly.com.