EvergreenHealth Recognized Among 36 Hospitals Nationwide for Inpatient Diabetes Care

The Leapfrog Group designated EvergreenHealth a leader in caring for individuals with diabetes

KIRKLAND, Wash. – The Leapfrog Group and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced today EvergreenHealth has received national designation as a Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes for the second consecutive year. EvergreenHealth made the list of just 36 hospitals in the U.S. earning this recognition for a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of hospitalized people living with diabetes.

"Our repeated recognition by Leapfrog reflects clinical expertise and highlights a system-wide commitment to early detection, ongoing education and comprehensive support that empowers patients to take control of their health. According to Leapfrog, the highest performing hospitals deliver safe, effective care that empowers patients from admission through follow-up after discharge," said EvergreenHealth Chief Medical and Quality Officer David Likosky, MD, MBA. "This national recognition affirms what our patients already know: when care is guided by excellence and driven by compassion, better outcomes follow."

The Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes program is in its second year, evaluating hospitals based on their care for patients with diabetes during admission, hospital stay and discharge. The program uses the ADA's Standards of Care in Diabetes and Leapfrog's standards for excellence in hospital safety and quality. Diabetes compounds the risk all inpatients already face from medical errors, injuries, and infections that are all too common in hospitals.

"Hospitals caring for people living with diabetes face unique challenges, and institutions like EvergreenHealth are leading the way in prioritizing safety and accountability for this vulnerable population," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "Patients living with diabetes deserve high-quality, safe care. We sincerely congratulate EvergreenHealth for their excellence in providing that care."

Recognized hospitals provide safe, high-quality care for people living with diabetes, by implementing blood glucose (blood sugar) testing and hypoglycemia protocols, specialized preparation for inpatient surgery, meals and insulin regimen planning and robust discharge planning for high-risk patients with diabetes, among others.

"We congratulate EvergreenHealth for demonstrating their commitment to patient safety and improving the lives of people living with diabetes. Moving evidence-based standards of care into practice opens doors to improved quality outcomes for people living with diabetes," said Osagie Ebekozien, MD, MPH, the ADA's chief quality officer.

To learn more about the Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes, visit https://www.leapfroggroup.org/recognized-leader-diabetes/about-the-program.

For more information about EvergreenHealth's commitment to quality and safety and exceptional care, visit www.evergreenhealth.com.