SC Ranks #3 Nationally in Spring 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades
South Carolina is ranked #3 in the nation in the newly released Spring 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade state rankings, which are based on the percentage of hospitals earning an “A.” In this grading cycle, 26 of 49 South Carolina hospitals received an “A,” and no hospitals received an “F”—a significant leap from Fall 2025, when South Carolina ranked 10th. For patients and families, this recognition reflects the day-in, day-out commitment of hospital teams to provide safer care for the communities they serve.
While grading methodologies can vary from one reporting period to the next, the overall takeaway is clear: South Carolina hospitals are strengthening the systems, practices and culture that support patient safety.
SCHA’s Zero Harm Foundation: Building a Culture of Safety Across South Carolina
As the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA), we are committed to advancing patient safety and quality healthcare by supporting our member hospitals as they build and sustain a culture of safety. That includes promoting the adoption of evidence-based medicine, championing efforts to prevent adverse events, and elevating patient-centered care—work that helps every hospital strengthen reliability, teamwork, and accountability.
This focus on high reliability led to the creation of SCHA’s Zero Harm Program—a statewide effort designed to accelerate learning, support improvement and recognize hospitals for progress in reducing preventable harm. A key area of focus is the reduction of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in clinical settings where strong, consistent processes can make a measurable difference.
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
Since 2014, SCHA has presented more than 2,600 awards recognizing hospital efforts across multiple categories, including clinical excellence, priority focus areas, and leadership—reinforcing that sustained safety performance starts with committed teams and supportive organizational culture.
“South Carolina’s #3 national ranking is a milestone worth celebrating—and it also reinforces why the work cannot slow down,” said Thornton Kirby, president and CEO of the South Carolina Hospital Association.
Through Zero Harm, SCHA will continue partnering with member hospitals to strengthen safety culture, support consistent use of evidence-based practices, and accelerate the spread of improvements that reduce preventable harm for patients across our state.