EvergreenHealth Recognized Among 17 Hospitals Nationwide for Inpatient Diabetes Care
The Leapfrog Group designated EvergreenHealth a leader in caring for individuals with diabetes
KIRKLAND, Wash. – EvergreenHealth has been named a Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes. This first-of-its-kind designation, bestowed by The Leapfrog Group in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), recognizes hospitals that meet the most rigorous standards for delivering safe, high-quality care to patients with diabetes. Among this elite group, EvergreenHealth stands out as one of just 17 hospitals across the US to achieve this distinction in 2024.
"As a nurse, I have often seen the devastating effects of diabetes. And since no two patients are alike, at EvergreenHealth, we adapt our care to meet the individual needs of each patient with diabetes, whether they are newly diagnosed or have lived with diabetes for many years. And as our organization has demonstrated time and time again, we don't always have the answers ready. What we do have is the creativity, skill and collegial support to figure it out – to provide safe care that is tailored to meet the distinct health needs of every patient," said Chief Nursing Officer Mary Shepler, DNP, RN, NEA-BC.
2024 Recognized Leaders in Caring for People Living with Diabetes were assessed based on a comprehensive range of key indicators that demonstrate the highest level of staff training on caring for patients who have diabetes, including:
- Evaluating policies and protocols that support patient-centered care
- Adherence to evidence-based guidelines in preparing patients for surgery as well as managing all diabetic patients in the hospital
- Implementation of robust planning for high-risk diabetes patients from the day of admission to discharge and facilitating a seamless transition from hospital to home
Dr. Robert Gabbay, M.D., Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the American Diabetes Association, emphasized the importance of this recognition. "There is an immense need to ensure hospitals provide safe, patient-centered care for all people who live with diabetes," he said. "Hospitals recognized through this program are leading the way."
"Eight million people living with diabetes are hospitalized each year in the United States, and a disturbing number of them experience safety breakdowns due to preventable medical errors," said Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "This program is a powerful tool to promote facilities that can appropriately accommodate and safely manage care for these at-risk patients."
For more details about EvergreenHealth's rigorous approach to diabetes care and meeting other important standards of care, visit Leapfrog's Hospital and Surgery Center Ratings and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook and via its newsletter.
For more information about EvergreenHealth's commitment to quality and safety and exceptional care, visit www.evergreenhealth.com.
About EvergreenHealth
EvergreenHealth is a community-owned hospital system serving more than one million residents in King and Snohomish counties. Since 1972, EvergreenHealth has evolved alongside the Eastside community into a two-hospital health system with a network of primary care practices, urgent care centers, specialty clinics, extensive home care and hospice services and 24/7 emergency care in Kirkland, Monroe and Redmond. As a public hospital district, EvergreenHealth actively provides equal access to high-quality, high-value care, partnering with local organizations to perform outreach and offer health education to address our community's needs now and for generations to come. The hospital system is named one of Healthgrades America's 50 Best™ Hospitals in clinical excellence and holds a 5-Star Overall Rating from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS). Learn more at www.evergreenhealth.com.
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. Leapfrog publishes letter grades for hospitals based on how safe they are for patients with the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. Leapfrog also sets standards for safety and quality and reports to the public through the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey. Follow us on Twitter (@TheLeapfrogGroup), Facebook (The Leapfrog Group), LinkedIn (The Leapfrog Group) and Instagram (@TheLeapfrogGroup) and sign up for our newsletter.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation's leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 83 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the over 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life®. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
EvergreenHealth Media Contacts:
Cody Miller
EvergreenHealth
425.899.1871
cotmiller@evergreenhealthcare.org
Kristi Herriott
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.466.2702
Kristi@firmani.com
