ROCKPORT — Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Pen Bay Medical Center (PBMC) was named a Top Rural Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group.

Announced December 7, 2021, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive, according to PBMC, in a news release. 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.

“We are proud to be recognized by the Leapfrog Group as a 2021 Top Rural Hospital,” said Mark Fourré, MD, president of PBMC. “Being selected as a top hospital is an honor and a testament to our commitment to providing safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.”

Over 2,200 hospitals were considered for the award. Among those, PBMC received a Top Rural distinction. A total of 149 top hospitals nationwide were selected as Top Hospitals, including:

• 8 Top Children’s
• 46 Top General
• 23 Top Rural
• 72 Top Teaching

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 Pen Bay Medical Center as a Top Hospital this year,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, in the PBMC news release. “Even with the continued strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pen Bay Medical Center has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to excellent health care in the Rockport community. 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, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.

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 forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information, they need to make informed decisions. 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.

Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit pbmc.org.