Alpena News editorial
For the second evaluation in a row, MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena has received an A report card for safety from Washington-based watchdog group Leapfrog.
In the spring 2021 Leapfrog rankings, The News reported recently, the Alpena hospital scored above-average in its efforts to prevent most common infections, most common surgical mishaps, all categories on general safety practices such as handwashing and communicating with patients about medications, and most categories in staff management.
It scored below-average in a handful of categories, including preventing serious breathing problems and dangerous blood clots after surgery, preventing patient falls and injuries, and putting specially trained doctors in care of intensive care unit patients.
The Alpena News
News File Photo
MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena pharmacist Sarah Tarkington and Pharmacy Manager Laura Caplis prepare the COVID-19 vaccine before it is administered at the hospital in this 2020 News file photo.
ALPENA Alpena’s hospital has again scored highly in a national safety ranking.
MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena received an A in spring 2021 rankings from the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit hospital watchdog organization based in Washington.
The Alpena hospital also received an A in fall 2020, vastly improved from its C rankings throughout 2019.
The Midland-based MidMichigan Health owns the Alpena hospital. Leapfrog also awarded an A to the group’s flagship hospital in Midland and gave B’s to the MidMichigan hospitals in West Branch and Gratiot.