Photo courtesy Doctors Hospital: Nurses and Patient Care Technicians from the Medical/Surgical Unit at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital

A national watchdog tracking hospital errors gives high marks for safety to hospitals in the Sarasota area.

The Leapfrog Group issues its annual Hospital Safety Grade report card and gave ‘A’ grades to Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Sarasota and Venice institutions, as well as to Sarasota Doctors Hospital.

Those hospitals earning top grades cheered the ranking.

“This is the 20th time we have earned an ‘A’ grade, so this reflects our entire team’s ongoing commitment to safety,” said Joe Rudisill, CEO of HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital. “I am extremely proud of our nurses, physicians, and every colleague for their dedication to providing safe, high-quality care and always putting our patients first.”

The ratings are based on reported infections, surgical problems, safety issues, practices to prevent errors and the quality of doctors, nurses and hospital staff. Doctors Hospital, owned by HCA Florida, met the highest score of any surveyed hospital in three of those five categories.

Both of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s hospitals also earned A grades.

“Despite a volley of challenges that have impacted our state, health system and team members in recent years, our physicians, staff, volunteers and leaders continue to demonstrate their deep connection and commitment to our community,” said Sarasota Memorial Health Care System CEO David Verinder. “We cannot thank them enough for all that they do to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients,” Verinder said.

Blake Hospital in Bradenton, another HCA hospital, earned a ‘B,’ with the report card flagging communication and responsiveness issues with staff.

Manatee Memorial Hospital earned the lowest grade of area hospitals included in the survey, with the report calling out a higher than average infection rate for MRSA and post-surgical sepsis.

But of note, all four graded hospitals scored above average specifically on quality of doctors, nurses and staff, even if some scores better than others as far as bedside manner and communications.

Photo courtesy Doctors Hospital: Nurses and Patient Care Technicians from the Medical/Surgical Unit at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital