California Hospitals Rank Highly In Patient Safety, But Patients Should ‘Protect’ Themselves

A national patient safety survey ranks California seventh in the nation for the number of hospitals with good track records in preventing injuries, accidents and infections. 

The health consumer safety scores were compiled by the Leapfrog Group. It’s a non-profit employer organization that advocates for hospital transparency.

Erica Mobley of the group says even if hospitals score highly, patients should still do research and take steps to protect themselves from medical harm. 

“If you want to have a baby, if you’re going to be having a knee surgery, if you’re going to be having open heart surgery, find hospitals that really do well at those specific procedures, and have a record of being safe," says Mobley. 

Mobley says mistakes can range from leaving an object inside a patient, to falls and pressure ulcers. Studies show tens of thousands of people die each year from preventable medical errors.