LA General Medical Center Sustains Top Leapfrog Safety Grade — Redefining What’s Possible in Public Health Care

LOS ANGELES, CA — LA General Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest public safety-net hospitals, has once again earned an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, reaffirming its position as a national leader in hospital safety. This marks the third consecutive top grade, an extraordinary milestone for a public institution that provides care to hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles County residents—regardless of ability to pay.

As a public safety-net hospital serving one of the most diverse populations in the country, LA General delivers safe, high-quality, and equitable care at scale, even in the face of resource constraints. Its continued recognition from Leapfrog reflects a deeply embedded culture of accountability, innovation, and equity-driven leadership.

“This is not just a grade—it’s a movement,” said Jorge Orozco, Chief Executive Officer of LA General Medical Center. “Achieving three straight ‘A’ grades demonstrates what’s possible when hospitals lead with purpose. Our people—nurses, doctors, staff—are redefining what safety and quality look like in urban academic medical centers.”

At the core of LA General’s performance is a system-wide commitment to safety. Through daily interdisciplinary safety huddles, a robust triad leadership model, and frontline-driven solutions, the hospital has seen measurable results: reductions in hospital-acquired conditions, improved diagnostic accuracy, shorter patient stays, and stronger outcomes across the board.

“Public safety-net hospitals are often expected to do more with less—and at LA General, we’ve shown that it can be done without compromising safety or outcomes,” said Dr. Brad Spellberg, Chief Medical Officer. “This Leapfrog ‘A’ grade is a reflection of our mission-driven approach to care. We’re saving lives through innovation, equity, and teamwork, and proving that public hospitals can lead the nation in quality and safety.”

Nursing leadership remains central to this transformation. “Earning three consecutive ‘A’ grades speaks volumes about who we are as a public safety-net hospital,” said Nancy Blake, Chief Nursing Officer. “Our nurses lead with compassion, clinical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to equity and safety. This achievement belongs to them—and to every staff member who shows up every day to put patients and community first.”

“Sustaining an ‘A’ grade from Leapfrog is a reflection of a deeply embedded culture of safety, equity, and accountability,” said Dr. Charles Coffey, Chief Quality Officer at LA General Medical Center. “As a public safety-net hospital, we hold ourselves to the highest standards because our patients deserve nothing less. And now more than ever, we are committed to maintaining our level of safe, efficient, and compassionate care for all.”

As a vital part of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, LA General Medical Center continues to prove that public safety-net hospitals can achieve—and sustain—the highest standards of care. Its latest Leapfrog ‘A’ grade sends a powerful message: public hospitals not only matter—they lead.

With an unwavering focus on equity, innovation, and safety, LA General is shaping the future of healthcare for Los Angeles—and setting a national example of what public systems can achieve when powered by mission-driven leadership and community trust.

About Los Angeles General Medical Center (LA General):

Los Angeles General Medical Center (LA General) is an over 600-bed, Level One Trauma Center and an academic teaching hospital run by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS). Through affiliation with Keck School of Medicine of USC, LA General is one of the premier training sites for intern and resident physicians completing their Graduate Medical Education. LA General operates special units that serve patients across the Southern California region, including a Burn Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Psychiatric and Pediatric Emergency Rooms. LA General offers outpatient services to victims of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse, and to children in foster care. The medical center campus is also home to a nonprofit organization, The Wellness Center, which provides a range of programs for community residents.