Recent finding by Leapfrog Group’s semiannual Hospital Safety Grades, which ranks care facilities throughout the country on several metrics, has revealed a gradual decline of medical care facilities in Washington, D.C. and adjoining areas.
D.C. hospitals along with Delaware and North Carolina came out with the worst care in the country for patient safety in the survey. No hospital in these areas got an “A” grade on any metric.
Leapfrog Grades access healthcare on 28 factors which includes responsiveness of staff, doctor procedures and outcome measures.
Delaware came out as one of the worst states when it comes to hospital safety, as per a recent national report. After seeking public information on patient safety and quality, the watchdog organization graded 2,600 U.S. hospitals every six months.
The hospitals were measured on six major areas of safety with an A-F grading scale, including inpatient care management, maternity care, medication, infections, inpatient surgery, and pediatric care
D.C. is presently considered to be the most dangerous place to give birth in the U.S. The minority women are particularly at risk as 33 Black women die for every 13 white women from pregnancy or childbirth related complications. The maternity mortality rate in Washington D.C. is also more than twice the national average.
Inadequate and inaccessible medical care is a key factor that contributes to D.C.’s high maternity rate. Recently several maternity wards were also closed in the District which has left many city areas without labor and delivery services.
DC ‘Most Dangerous Place’ for Black Women to Give Birth in US