Atrium Health leads North Carolina with 9 'A' ratings in hospital safety report
Ranked among the best in the nation in patient safety by The Leapfrog Group
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 13, 2025 – The Leapfrog Group has awarded nine Atrium Health hospitals an “A” rating for excellence in patient safety on its fall 2025 patient safety report card — the most top grades of any health system in North Carolina.
Atrium Health Union, in Monroe, earned its sixth consecutive “A” rating, maintaining the prestigious “Straight A” designation — an honor reserved for hospitals that sustained top ratings for five or more grading rounds.
Leapfrog analysts evaluate publicly available data across 22 different safety measures to assign grades based on how well hospitals are protecting patients from harm. Measurements include the hospital’s ability to prevent errors, accidents, injuries and infections. Twice a year, Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades are assigned to nearly 3,000 general acute-care hospitals nationwide.
Atrium Health hospitals in North Carolina that received “A” ratings include:
- Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord
- Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby
- Atrium Health Kings Mountain in Kings Mountain
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Lexington Medical Center in Lexington
- Atrium Health Lincoln in Lincoln
- Atrium Health Stanly in Albemarle
- Atrium Health Union in Monroe
- Atrium Health Union West in Matthews
- Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg
“This recognition underscores the dedication of our teams to prevent harm and deliver the highest quality care,” said Steve Smoot, president of Advocate Health’s North Carolina and Georgia Division, which includes the entire Atrium Health footprint. “Patient safety is the foundation of quality care, and these results reflect the skill and expertise of our clinicians and teammates.”
Atrium Health is part of Charlotte-based Advocate Health, the nation's third-largest nonprofit integrated health system. In total, Advocate Health hospitals received 24 “A” ratings on the Leapfrog Fall 2025 patient safety report card — the highest number of top grades ever received by the health system and also among the top five health systems, nationally, for the number of “A” grades earned.
“We are honored to be recognized by The Leapfrog Group for our unwavering commitment to patient safety and quality care,” said Dr. Scott Rissmiller, executive vice president and chief clinical officer for Advocate Health. “This milestone achievement reflects the passion, expertise and dedication of our teammates who strive to deliver safe, exceptional care every day. Together, we are driving innovation, elevating standards of excellence and transforming care for the communities we serve.”
About Atrium Health
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is the health system’s academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. It is ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals in nine pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation. With a commitment to redefine care for every community it serves, Atrium Health provides nearly $3 billion in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Advocate Health is nationally recognized for its expertise in heart and vascular, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs more than 160,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs.
Committed to redefining care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.