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Fremont, Calif. – May 6, 2026 – Washington Health, a regional leader in innovative community healthcare in the San Francisco Bay Area, today announced it earned an “A” in The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2026 Hospital Safety Grades. Leapfrog is an independent national nonprofit watchdog that evaluates hospitals on evidence-based measures of patient safety, including errors, injuries, and infections.
“We are proud to be recognized among a select group of hospitals earning the Leapfrog “A” grade distinction, which reflects some of the highest standards for patient safety in the country,” said Kimberly Hartz, chief executive officer of Washington Health. “This achievement reflects more than performance metrics; it represents the culture our teams live every day - one grounded in accountability, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right for every patient we serve.”
“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that Washington Health is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Leapfrog assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals twice annually, in the fall and spring.
“Today’s announcement builds on Washington Health’s recent Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award, which places us among the top 10% of safest hospitals nationwide,” continued Hartz. “It also reflects our four-time Magnet designation for nursing excellence, which underscores the rigorous standards and patient-first culture that guide everything we do.”
Washington Health’s full grade details can be found at HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
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About Washington Health
Washington Health is an independent, community-based health system governed by the publicly elected Washington Township Health Care District Board. Opened in 1958, Washington Health has grown to include a 415-bed, acute care hospital that includes the Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavilion that also houses emergency services and a level II trauma center; the Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley; the Institute for Joint Restoration and Research; Peninsula Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Washington Health Medical Group; Washington Health Urgent Care, and Washington West that houses the UCSF-Washington Cancer Center, Washington Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities. Through the Washington Health Foundation, generous donor and community support helps advance innovation, expand access to care, and strengthen vital programs. The health system continues to receive top-tier awards and distinctions for many programs and services, while advancing the level of medical care and treatment in Southern Alameda County. Discover more at washingtonhealth.com, and through Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.
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 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.