Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center Achieves Elite National Status as a Straight-‘A’ For Patient Safety

28 consecutive ‘A’ grades demonstrate French Hospital’s dedication to patients

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA, NOVEMBER 13, 2025 – Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center was awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the 28th consecutive time by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. This designates French Hospital Medical Center as a “Straight A” hospital, defined as hospitals that have an A for fall 2025 and have sustained that grade for the last five or more grading rounds. This select group represents less than 13% of all eligible hospitals. French Hospital is also one of only 11 hospitals in the nation to receive an A continuously for all 28 grading cycles since the program’s inception in 2012. It’s one of only 2 in California to hold that distinction. 

 "Receiving our 28th consecutive 'A' for hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group is far more than just a remarkable track record; it's a profound testament to the dedication each and every member of our team pours into creating the safest possible environment for our patients. This sustained excellence reflects a deeply ingrained culture where patient well-being is not just a priority, but the very foundation of everything we do, every single day," says Sue Andersen, President and CEO of French Hospital Medical Center.

"Achieving our 28th consecutive 'A' for hospital safety from Leapfrog is a truly extraordinary accomplishment, and for me, as CMO, it underscores something fundamental: quality and safety aren't just buzzwords we throw around. They are the absolute essence of what it means to be a healthcare provider – the non-negotiable promise we make to every patient who walks through our doors. This unbroken record reflects the meticulous attention to detail, the continuous learning, and the deep, shared commitment across every department to ensure the best possible care, every single time. It directly impacts lives, and that's why it matters above all else," says Dr. Tom Vendegna, Chief Medical Officer, French Hospital Medical Center.

The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections. 

“My sincere congratulations to French Hospital Medical Center  for upholding patient safety standards through thick and thin, achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for 28  consecutive rounds of the Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Consistently earning an A demonstrates a long-term, organization-wide commitment to putting patient safety first.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on preventable medical errors, injuries and infections that can lead to harm or even death. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. 

To see French Hospital’s full grade details and to find essential patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. Connect with The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and stay updated through The Leapfrog Group newsletter. 

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About French Hospital Medical Center
French Hospital Medical Center is a state-of-the-art, 98-bed acute care hospital located in San Luis Obispo, California. French’s Oppenheimer Family Center for Emergency Medicine is the area’s most advanced emergency services center. The modern facility is home to the Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center, is the county’s premier cardiac center, providing the latest cardiac and imaging technology, and the Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. To learn more, visit dignityhealth.org/frenchhospital.

About Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org. 

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.