The Leapfrog Group has released its Fall 2025 Hospital Safety Grades, which offers new insight into how well Georgia hospitals are protecting patients from preventable harm. While 19 hospitals in the state earned top marks, the results also highlight ongoing concerns about patient safety and transparency throughout Georgia’s health care system.

How Georgia Hospitals Scored

This fall, Leapfrog graded 78 hospitals across Georgia based on key safety metrics involving medical errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. The results included:

• 19 hospitals earned an “A”
• 26 earned a “B”
• 31 earned a “C”
• 1 earned a “D”
• 1 earned an “F”

Despite some strong performers, the number of A-rated hospitals has remained relatively stagnant. In 2018, 34% of Georgia hospitals received an A, placing the state 17th nationally. Today, only 24% earned the top grade, dropping Georgia to 28th in the country for hospital safety.

Growing Concerns About Patient Harm

Georgia Watch, the state’s leading consumer advocacy group, expressed concern that safety performance has plateaued.

According to Executive Director Liz Coyle, the persistent number of C-rated hospitals underscores a need for stronger patient protections. “Every Georgian should be able to enter their local hospital with confidence that they’ll receive safe, reliable care,” Coyle stated. “Yet the growing number of hospitals earning C grades shows that too many patients remain at risk of preventable harm.” 

Coyle emphasized the need for improved transparency and accountability, urging hospitals to prioritize system-wide safety improvements.

The Role of Health Systems

A key trend identified in Leapfrog’s 2025 analysis is the influence of health systems on safety performance. This year, 90% of graded hospitals are part of a health system, and the percentage is even higher among A-rated hospitals, with 94% affiliated with a larger network.

HCA Healthcare, who operates five hospitals in Georgia, had the strongest showing systemwide, earning the most A ratings nationwide.

Georgia Hospitals That Achieved “Straight A” Status

Nationwide, 358 hospitals achieved and sustained an A rating for more than two years. Only 13% of U.S. hospitals met this standard—highlighting the need for improvements in patient safety. However, six Georgia hospitals earned a place on this list of “Straight A” facilities, including:

• Wellstar Paulding Hospital
• Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center
• Coffee Regional Medical Center
• Colquitt Regional Medical Center
• Fairview Park Hospital
• Piedmont Columbus Regional Medical Center

What This Means for Patients

For individuals and families making decisions about their health care, Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade offers a valuable lens into how well hospitals protect their patients. While Georgia has standout performers, the overall trends underscore the importance of continued advocacy and accountability in the state’s health care system.

For more information about the 2025 Leapfrog Safety Grades and to compare hospitals, please visit: www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.