UI Health Receives Top Ratings for Patient Safety and Quality of Care
Introduction
The University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics, continuing its powerful momentum forward, recently received several outstanding professional designations reflecting UIC’s Healthcare enterprise’s (UI Health) ongoing commitment to delivering excellent and compassionate care to patients.
"A” Grade for Hospital Safety from Leapfrog Group
UI Health earned an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for Spring 2026 from the independent nonprofit organization Leapfrog Group which evaluates patient safety at hospitals across the nation. The Leapfrog Group, committed to driving quality, safety, and transparency in the U.S. health system, assigns grades to hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries, and infections. Hospital Safety Grades are updated twice annually, in the spring and fall.
“This recognition reflects years of deliberate work by our physicians, nurses, advanced practice clinicians, staff, and leaders to strengthen the systems that keep patients safe,” said Dr. Sagar Harwani, chief quality officer at the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics. Dr. Harwani continued, “An ‘A’ from Leapfrog is meaningful because it is founded on transparent, evidence-based patient safety measures. We are proud of this progress, and we recognize that patient safety requires continued focus, discipline, and improvement.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections, and injuries. “Patient safety is and always will be one of UI Health’s highest priorities, said Dr. Jon Radosta, chief medical officer at the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics. “This recognition reflects our commitment to providing safe, reliable care that patients and families can trust.”
Recognized Leadership in Diabetes Care
Additionally, The Leapfrog Group in partnership with the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) announced that UI Health has received national designation as a Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes. UI Health made the list of just 37 hospitals across 14 states earning this recognition for a strong commitment to the safety and wellbeing of hospitalized people living with diabetes. An estimated 30% of inpatients are living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and they are at high risk of injury or even death when protocols are not followed.
“This recognition between The Leapfrog Group and the ADA highlights UI Health’s commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care for inpatients with diabetes,” said Dr. Jon Radosta.
As an ADA-recognized education program, UI Health provides leading-edge technologies in diabetes management and a range of treatment options for patients who have type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
4-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
These most recent recognitions from Leapfrog and the ADA come on the heels of several other national safety and quality designations achieved by UI Health. Last month, UI Health received a 4-Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating summarizes dozens of measures in key areas of care, including mortality, readmissions, safety, patient experience, and timely and effective care into one score, making it easier for consumers to understand hospital performance at-a-glance.
Magnet Recognition® for Nursing Practice and Quality Patient Care
These most recent top-level designations follow the Magnet Recognition® earned in 2025. Magnet Recognition is the most prestigious designation a healthcare organization can receive for nursing practice and quality patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, in addition to processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.
Discussing these outstanding developments, UIC Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Robert Barish said, “These are momentous achievements that everyone can take pride in reaching. Indeed, the dedication of our providers and staff has made these milestone recognitions possible. Ultimately, this reflects the exceptional quality care we provide to our communities across Chicago and beyond.”
A Brief Conversation About the Leapfrog Recognition
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Dr. Robert Barish and Dr. Sagar Harwani, Chief Quality Officer at UI Health, sat down for a brief video conversation about the most recent recognitions received by UI Health.
A Brief Conversation About Magnet Recognition®
In this brief video, UIC Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Dr. Robert Barish chats with UI Health Chief Nursing Officer Tiesa Hughes-Dillard about the significance of this achievement for UI Health and for the patients and communities we serve.