Those seeking medical treatment in Pennsylvania may want to take note. For the fifth year, Lehigh Valley Hospital was recognized as one of the top hospitals in the U.S. The independent health quality organization, the Leapfrog Group, included Lehigh Valley in its annual list of the 65 top hospitals from many (1,200) care centers around the U.S. As lay persons and the legal community face challenges with patient safety and medical malpractice in Pennsylvania and across the U.S., Leapfrog Group surveys play an important role.

Lehigh Valley Hospital is the only hospital in Pennsylvania to make this important list. Also highly rated are university, teaching, children's, and community hospitals in all geographical areas. The Leapfrog Group prepares its annual national survey to measure performance in patient safety and quality of care.

Survey results are published at their website and are available to patients, families, the public, and employers. Unfortunately, with the many wondrous advances in medicine, there remain concerns for patient safety and medical malpractice for people entering hospitals for treatment.

Since 2001, this survey has focused on four primary areas. Using computerized physician medication order entry (to prevent errors), high-risk surgical procedures for life threatening conditions, policies targeted at the reduction of medical errors and adequate nurse/physician staffing to promote recommended safe practices per the National Quality Forum.

Founded to achieve health care safety improvements, quality and affordability, the Leapfrog Group is a coalition of public and private users of employee health insurance coverage. Distinguishing the top health care centers across the U.S. may ultimately help patients and the legal community to improve health care and monitor medical malpractice.

Source: The Morning Call, "Leapfrog Group lauds Lehigh Valley Hospital," Tim Darragh, Dec. 6, 2011