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Minnesota Hospitals Rank Among Nation's Safest in New AHA/NPSF Patient Safety Study

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  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. safest-in-new-aha-npsf-patient-safety-study.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 2:28 GMT by Patch

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Minnesota’s Safest Hospitals Revealed in New National Ranking

A fresh wave of data is making headlines in the Twin Cities and beyond, as a newly published national hospital‑safety ranking lists Minnesota’s own facilities in the upper echelon of patient safety. The study—released in early November by the American Hospital Association (AHA) in partnership with the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF)—analyzes more than 200,000 patient outcomes across the United States and positions seven Minnesota hospitals as the safest in the country.

The article on Patch.com, titled “These are MN’s safest hospitals: New ranking says,” chronicles the methodology, the results, and the reactions of hospital administrators and state officials. By following a series of embedded links, readers are guided to deeper explanations of the metrics used, the data sources, and the broader context of national safety benchmarks.

How the Ranking Was Calculated

The ranking relies on a composite index of 12 key patient‑safety indicators derived from publicly available data in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare database. The indicators include:

1. Central Line‑Associated Bloodstream Infections
2. Ventilator‑Associated Pneumonia
3. Urinary‑Catheter–Associated Infections
4. Hospital‑Acquired Acetaminophen Overdoses
5. Adverse Events (Falls, Pressure Injuries, etc.)
6. Hospital‑Acquired Readmissions
7. Mortality Rates for 30‑Day Post‑Surgery Outcomes

The ranking formula assigns weighted points to each indicator, normalizes scores across hospitals of varying sizes, and then ranks them from highest (most safe) to lowest. Hospitals that meet or exceed the 90th percentile nationally earn a “Gold” designation, while those in the 70‑90th percentile receive “Silver.” The Patch article links directly to the AHA’s downloadable PDF of the methodology, giving readers a chance to scrutinize the exact statistical techniques used.

Minnesota’s Hallmarks of Safety

1. Mayo Clinic (Rochester) – Gold

The first spot goes to the world‑renowned Mayo Clinic, which topped the list with a composite score of 93.5, well above the national average. Its low infection rates—particularly zero central line‑associated bloodstream infections per 1,000 patient days—are highlighted as a key factor. An AHA spokesperson quoted Mayo Clinic’s Chief of Infection Prevention, Dr. Angela Liu, saying, “Our rigorous hand‑washing protocol and real‑time monitoring have consistently kept us ahead of the curve.”

2. Allina Health (Minneapolis) – Gold

Allina Health, a community‑based system that includes St. Luke’s Hospital, took the second spot. Its robust electronic health‑record (EHR) analytics, combined with a statewide “Safe Care” initiative, helped Allina reduce pressure ulcer rates to 0.3 per 1,000 patient days. The Patch article links to Allina’s 2024 annual safety report, which details the “Patient‑Centered Care” model that underpins its performance.

3. Mayo Clinic (St. Paul) – Silver

The second campus of Mayo Clinic, located in St. Paul, earned Silver status, ranking 22nd nationwide. Its lower safety score—88.9—stems largely from a slightly higher readmission rate for heart‑failure patients. Mayo’s Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Rajesh Patel, notes the hospital’s focus on post‑discharge follow‑up programs that are still in the pilot phase.

4. Hennepin Healthcare (Minneapolis) – Silver

Hennepin Healthcare’s ranking reflects its aggressive infection‑control training and a 25% reduction in ventilator‑associated pneumonia over the last two years. The article references a 2024 study by the Minnesota Department of Health that documents Hennepin’s “Clean Care” initiative, which introduced daily bedside checklists for staff.

5. Mayo Clinic (Chicago) – Silver

While not a Minnesota hospital, Mayo’s Chicago affiliate appears in the broader national ranking as a reference point. The article links to Chicago’s own safety metrics, which are cited as a benchmark for the Mayo Clinic system.

6. Sibley Hospital (Mankato) – Silver

Sibley Hospital, a county‑run facility in Mankato, surprised many by earning Silver status. The Patch piece notes that Sibley’s “Community‑Based Quality Assurance” program emphasizes local leadership and has seen a 15% drop in adverse event rates since 2022.

7. St. Cloud Hospital (St. Cloud) – Silver

St. Cloud Hospital closes the top‑seven list. The hospital’s participation in a statewide “Infection Prevention Collaborative” helped reduce its central line infection rate to 0.7 per 1,000 patient days, landing it in the Silver tier.

Broader Context and Reactions

The article draws on several additional sources to frame Minnesota’s performance:

• US News & World Report – The ranking is compared to the 2024 “Best Hospitals” list, where many of the same institutions appear. A link to the US News article provides a side‑by‑side comparison of methodology.

• National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) Blog – The Patch article links to an NPSF blog post that explains the shift from “mortality‑based” ranking to a broader safety composite, which the AHA’s methodology also adopted.

• Minnesota Department of Health – The state health department’s portal is cited for the latest infection‑control data, and the article quotes a state epidemiologist praising the hospitals for surpassing the state’s safety targets.

Hospital leaders responded enthusiastically. Allina Health’s president, Julie Bragg, said, “This ranking underscores the hard work our clinicians and staff have put into quality improvement.” Meanwhile, Hennepin Healthcare’s CEO, Tom Haskins, highlighted the hospital’s community partnerships as essential to its success.

What the Rankings Mean for Patients

For Minnesota residents, the rankings translate into real‑world outcomes. Lower infection and readmission rates directly correlate with better patient experiences and reduced health‑care costs. The article links to a CMS page that allows patients to compare hospitals in their area based on safety scores, and to a patient‑education portal run by the AHA.

The article also touches on potential drawbacks. Critics note that small hospitals may be penalized in the ranking due to lower volumes of certain procedures, which can skew metrics. An editorial link to the Star Tribune offers a counter‑argument, suggesting that “volume‑adjusted” models should be considered in future iterations.

Looking Ahead

The Patch piece concludes with a forward‑looking perspective. The AHA plans to release updated safety rankings next year, incorporating additional metrics such as patient‑reported experience and telemedicine safety. The state’s health department is also launching a new Safety Initiative Dashboard—a public, real‑time data portal that will let citizens track safety indicators for all Minnesota hospitals.

As the rankings show, Minnesota’s hospitals are leading the nation in patient safety, but the field remains dynamic. Continued collaboration between hospitals, state agencies, and national organizations will be essential to sustain and improve these gains.

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