The Leapfrog Group has announced that Bridgton Hospital has been named a “Top Hospital” for the first time.

Widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious distinctions a hospital can receive in the United States, the recognition showcases Bridgton Hospital’s commitment to patient safety and quality.

“Bridgton Hospital has a long-standing reputation of providing high-quality care and superior outcomes to the residents of the Lake Region and western Maine. The Leapfrog Top Hospital Award is a remarkable testimony to the great work our providers and staff offer every single day. Our communities should be equally proud that their local hospital is in a very elite group of hospitals around the country to receive this prestigious award,” said David Frum, president and CEO of Bridgton Hospital.

Bridgton Hospital received a “Top Rural Hospital” distinction, and was one of 115 “Top Hospitals” recognized across the country. The list includes:

• Nine Top Children’s Hospitals
• 56 Top General Hospitals
• 21 Top Rural Hospitals
• 29 Top Teaching Hospitals

Bridgton Hospital joins other Central Maine Healthcare hospitals — Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) and Rumford Hospital — as a Leapfrog top hospital. Both CMMC (Top Urban Hospital) and Rumford Hospital (Top Rural Hospital) were honored by Leapfrog in 2012.

The selection of Top Hospitals is based on the results of the 2016 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, maternity care, and a hospital’s ability to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.

“Being acknowledged as a Top Hospital is an incredible feat achieved by less than three percent of hospitals nationwide,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “With this honor, Bridgton Hospital has established its commitment to safer and higher quality care. Providing this level of care to patients in Bridgton and the surrounding towns requires motivation and drive from every team member. I congratulate the board, staff and clinicians, whose efforts made this honor possible.”

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.