Three Atlantic Health System hospitals earn 2021 Leapfrog Top Hospital award for outstanding quality and safety
NEW JERSEY – Highlighting their nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, three Atlantic Health System hospitals were named Top Hospitals by The Leapfrog Group. Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center were named Top Teaching Hospitals, and Chilton Medical Center was named a Top General Hospital.
The Leapfrog Top Hospital award was announced Tuesday and is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers recognized as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.
More than 2,200 hospitals were considered for the award. A total of 149 hospitals nationwide were selected as Top Hospitals, including 72 Top Teaching Hospitals and 46 Top General Hospitals.
“Our strategy for building healthier communities is founded on our commitment to delivering extraordinary caring today while training and developing the healthcare professionals of tomorrow,” said Brian Gragnolati, President and CEO, Atlantic Health System. “Congratulations to the Morristown, Overlook and Chilton teams on this remarkable recognition. I am grateful for your tireless commitment to our patients, communities and caregivers.”
Leaders in Medical Education
Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center, with their close proximity to New York City, are sought-after facilities by medical professionals at all stages of their training, including undergraduate (UME), graduate (GME), and continuing (CME) medical education. Together, these campuses train over 300 residents and fellows annually.
Residency training in dentistry, diagnostic radiology, family medicine, internal medicine, Ob/Gyn, pediatrics, podiatric surgery, and general surgery occurs at both campuses, in addition to emergency medicine and osteopathic neuromuscular medicine at Morristown Medical Center.
Morristown Medical Center also trains fellows in cardiology, emergency medical services, hematology/oncology, interventional cardiology, geriatrics, pediatrics/emergency medicine, sports medicine, and urogynecology.
Atlantic Health System’s major medical school affiliation is with the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Additional affiliations with Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and St. George’s University School of Medicine bring a total of 90 to 100 medical students to its campuses at any given time.
Rising Leader in Care
Chilton Medical Center was one of only two hospitals in New Jersey to receive Leapfrog’s Top General Hospital recognition. Additionally, Chilton was also named #1 mid-size hospital in New Jersey by Castle Connolly for the past six years and a high-performing hospital in multiple specialties by U.S. News & World Report.
Chilton has undergone significant enhancements in recent years, including the renovation of its ICU, the development of a progressive care nursing unit contiguous to the ICU, a modernization project for the emergency department, a renovated lobby and access center, and the opening of The Children’s Center, an innovative and dedicated center that combines both pediatric emergency services and inpatient hospital care in one, family-friendly facility.
Both Chilton and Overlook last year joined Morristown Medical Center in achieving Magnet Designation for Nursing Excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Morristown, Overlook and Chilton all earned the highest possible safety rating of ‘A’ by The Leapfrog Group in its Spring and Fall 2021 Hospital Safety Grades.
The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication and other errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.
“We are pleased to recognize Morristown, Overlook and Chilton medical centers as Top Hospitals this year,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Even with the continued strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, these Atlantic Health System hospitals have demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to excellent health care in their communities. We congratulate the board, leadership, staff and clinicians who put their patients first.”
To qualify for the Top Hospitals distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2021 Top Hospitals, click here.
