Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola has earned its ninth consecutive 'A' Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, marking nearly five years of top scores for its efforts to protect patients from harm.

The hospital was one of only 70 in Florida to receive an 'A' in the spring 2025 grading period. Nationwide, fewer than a third of hospitals achieved the top mark, and fewer than 200 have maintained it nine times in a row, according to Leapfrog, an independent national watchdog organization.

The Hospital Safety Grade, released each fall and spring, evaluates nearly 3,000 general hospitals in the U.S. and assigns grades from A to F. The rating is the only national hospital evaluation system that focuses entirely on how well facilities prevent medical errors, infections and injuries — factors shown to reduce patient mortality and shorten hospital stays.

"Consistent achievements like these only happen when everyone here provides the same level of quality and detail-oriented care, and for that I am grateful for our associates and their excellence," said Sacred Heart Pensacola President & CEO Will Condon. "These high-achieving grades are an indication that we are distinguishing ourselves as a safe site of care for those in Northwest Florida."

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. The grading system uses 22 evidence-based measures to assess safety practices, giving patients and families a clear look at how hospitals perform when it comes to preventing harm.

"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 Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first."

Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola is part of Ascension, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country. The hospital offers a full range of services including trauma care, cardiovascular treatment, maternity services and advanced surgical procedures.

For more information on the hospital's grade and tips on how to stay safe during a hospital visit, go to www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.