Beloit Memorial Hospital has secured the highest safety rating in Rock County and the second highest in its region, according to the latest semi-annual assessment by the Leapfrog Group. This Washington, D.C.-based organization evaluates nearly 3,000 hospitals annually, grading them on various factors including patient harm, errors, injuries, and infections, based on over 30 metrics collected through voluntary surveys.
In the most recent grading, Beloit Memorial Hospital received a B overall grade. The facility, located at 1969 W. Hart Road, excelled in several categories, particularly in infection control, surgical practices, error prevention, and staffing quality. This marks a consistent performance for Beloit Memorial, which has previously achieved a B grade in spring 2024 and earned A grades in both spring and fall assessments of that year. The only hospital in the region to receive an A this fall is Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Elkhorn.
Lindsay Baumann, the marketing manager for Beloit Health System, expressed satisfaction with the hospital’s performance but emphasized the desire for improvement. “While we are pleased that Beloit Memorial has achieved a B rating and is recognized as the best in the county, our administration is not fully satisfied with this ranking,” she stated in an email. Baumann added that the hospital is dedicated to enhancing its safety protocols, infection control practices, and patient care standards. The hospital’s goal is to elevate its rating from a B to an A.
Efforts to achieve this goal include implementing targeted quality improvement initiatives, investing in staff training, and adopting the latest best practices to ensure compliance with the highest safety standards.
In contrast, Mercyhealth, which operates the Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center in Janesville and the Javon Bea Hospital Riverside in Rockford, received a C grade in the latest assessment. Notably, this was an improvement for the Janesville location, which had previously been rated D in both the fall of 2024 and in the spring of that year.
Therese Michaels, a media relations specialist for Mercyhealth, explained that the organization does not participate in the Leapfrog surveys, which has impacted its scores. “Mercyhealth and other health care providers are routinely asked to participate in initiatives for publicly reporting data related to quality and patient safety. Mercyhealth does not submit data to Leapfrog for this report,” Michaels noted. She highlighted that Mercyhealth engages with other quality programs, such as Healthgrades, which recognizes hospitals for their excellence in patient care. The Javon Bea Hospital Riverside has been acknowledged as a national leader, earning the Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award for both 2024 and 2025.
Beloit Memorial Hospital’s achievement reflects its commitment to patient safety and quality care, setting a benchmark for healthcare facilities in the region. As the organization strives for further improvements, it aims to maintain its leadership position in healthcare quality and safety in Rock County.
