Marian Regional Medical Center and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Earn “A” Hospital Safety Grade From the Leapfrog Group

San Luis Obispo, CA – May 1, 2025 – Dignity Health Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC) and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital’s (AGCH) earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.   

"We are thrilled that both Marian Regional Medical Center and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital have been recognized with 'A' grades from The Leapfrog Group,” says Sue Andersen, President and CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital. “This achievement is not just a moment of celebration, but a reaffirmation of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement in patient safety. Our community can be confident that we are dedicated to providing the safest and highest quality care possible."

“Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I extend my congratulations to Marian Regional Medical Center and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.” 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. 

Dignity Health Hospitals throughout California received the most “A” grades from the Leapfrog Group during this Spring 2025 Grading Cycle. To explore MRMC and AGCH’s full grade details and to find valuable tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.  

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About Marian Regional Medical Center

Marian Regional Medical Center is a state-of-the-art, 191-bed medical center located in Santa Maria, California. The modern facility is home to a broad array of services including a level II trauma center, a level III neonatal intensive care unit, a nationally recognized cardiac care center, and the Central Coast’s only Comprehensive Community Cancer Program as recognized by the Commission on Cancer. Marian has been recognized for quality and patient safety and has received an “A” grade in hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group.

 Learn more at dignityhealth.org/marianregional.

About Arroyo Grande Community Hospital

Arroyo Grande Community Hospital is a 67-bed hospital offering health care services to Central Coast residents. The hospital operates the busiest Emergency Department in South San Luis Obispo County and houses the only Acute Rehabilitation Center in San Luis Obispo County offering a wide range of individualized therapies. The facility has achieved prestigious designation as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission for advanced, comprehensive care for stroke patients. Arroyo Grande Community Hospital has been recognized for quality and patient safety and has received an “A” grade in hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group.

Learn more at http://www.dignityhealth.org/arroyo-grande/

About Dignity Health Central Coast

Seven award-winning hospitals comprise Dignity Health Central Coast: Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo, all recognized for their quality of care, safety, and service.

Additionally, Dignity Health Central Coast has a network of nearly 50 physician offices known as Pacific Central Coast Health Centers that include primary care, cancer care and various specialty offices. Dignity Health Central Coast also includes premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services.

Learn more at dignityhealth.org/centralcoast.

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 for patient safety. 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.