News at UI Health

UI Health today earned an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for Spring 2026.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization committed to driving quality, safety, and transparency in the U.S. health system, assigns grades to hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries, and infections. Hospital Safety Grades are updated twice annually, in the spring and fall.

“This recognition reflects years of deliberate work by our physicians, nurses, advanced practice clinicians, staff, and leaders to strengthen the systems that keep patients safe,” said Dr. Sagar Harwani, Chief Quality Officer at the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics. “An ‘A’ from Leapfrog is meaningful because it is based on transparent, evidence-based patient safety measures.

“We are proud of this progress, and we recognize that patient safety requires continued focus, discipline, and improvement,” Harwani said.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections, and injuries.

“Patient safety is and always will be one of UI Health’s highest priorities, said Dr. Jon Radosta, Chief Medical Officer the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics. “This recognition reflects our commitment to providing safe, reliable care that patients and families can trust.”

The “A” Safety Grade adds to other national recognitions achieved by UI Health, including achieving Magnet Recognition^® in July 2025. Magnet Recognition^® is the most prestigious designation a healthcare organization can receive for nursing practice and quality patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program^® distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, in addition to processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care. 

“The combination of these external accolades underscores our commitment to excellence in care delivery — especially within an environment of learning, training, and discovery,” said Dr. Robert Barish, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at the University of Illinois Chicago. “Indeed, our excellence in quality and safety is amplified through our healthcare team who serve our communities and educate tomorrow’s providers.”