UNC Health Wayne Achieves 4th Consecutive Leapfrog "A" Rating for Patient Safety

Goldsboro, NC – May 1, 2023 – UNC Health Wayne has received its fourth consecutive “A” rating from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The hospital was recognized for its unwavering commitment to improving patient safety and quality care, despite nationwide challenges experienced throughout the healthcare industry.  

“UNC Health Wayne is very proud of our first-ever fourth consecutive Leapfrog A rating,” said Brian H. Fillipo, MD, MMM, FACP, Chief Medical Officer. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff in the face of nationwide challenges experienced by the healthcare industry. It demonstrates the hospital's unwavering dedication to providing exceptional patient care.”  

UNC Health Wayne’s exceptional performance is the result of sustained improvements on numerous patient safety indicators, placing the hospital in the top tier of all hospitals nationwide in protecting patients from injuries, accidents, infections, and preventable medical errors.  

“This unprecedented accomplishment is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our staff, who work tirelessly to ensure our patients receive the best possible care,” said Heidi L. Malez, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Chief Nursing Officer and SVP of Patient Care Services. “We are proud of the progress we have made in the past few years and are committed to continuing to improve and expand our services to better serve our community.”  

UNC Health Wayne’s President and CEO, Jessie L. Tucker III, Ph.D., FACHE, expressed gratitude to the entire team for their staunch dedication to excellence. “Thank you to our entire team for their diligent adherence to best practices and for consistently providing our community with top-notch health care. We are proud to have a grade A health care team, and we look forward to even more firsts, growth, and advancements in the future.” 

“Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades are released biannually in the Spring and Fall, awarding grades from A to F”, said Terry Hurdle, RN, Director of Performance Improvement and Patient Safety.  “Developed by leading patient safety and quality experts, the methodology for rankings provides an evidence-based, independent, and peer-reviewed source of information for patients. Only the best hospitals in the country can obtain and sustain the revered safety grade of “A.” Despite experiencing the worst surges of the pandemic, UNC Health Wayne was able to accelerate its quality and patient safety improvement journey. Over the past two years, the hospital has seen its best scores on 18 of the 20 currently reported metrics. As a result, UNC Health Wayne has achieved the highest overall quantitative score in the hospital’s history.”

UNC Health Wayne’s achievement is a reflection of its commitment to patient safety and quality care and its dedication to continuous improvement.