YRMC makes the grade

Yuma Regional Medical Center has been recognized by a national health care ratings organization as a Distinguished Hospital for Patient Safety.

YRMC was one of three Arizona hospitals to receive the designation from HealthGrades. The independent organization provides ratings and profiles of hospitals, nursing homes and physicians to consumers, corporations, health plans and hospitals.

Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix and Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott were also recognized, according to the HealthGrades patient safety study released earlier this month.

According to HealthGrades officials, they analyzed approximately 41 million Medicare patient records from nearly 5,000 hospitals.

Facilities that earned the distinguished patient safety designation demonstrated safety records among the top 5 percent in the nation.

On average, according to HealthGrades, these hospitals had a 43 percent lower chance of experiencing one or more medical errors.

YRMC also received this designation in 2007, according to the HealthGrades report.

For more information or to view the report, go to www.healthgrades.com.