Kansas City, MO – When residents enter a hospital for surgery or treatment, they expect safe care, accurate medication, and strict hygiene standards. But new fall 2025 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades show that patient safety varies widely across Kansas City medical facilities, with some hospitals earning top marks and others scoring noticeably lower.
The latest report, released on Nov. 13, evaluates hospitals twice a year based on 32 performance measures tied to infection control, surgical outcomes, medication errors, communication, and staffing practices. The grades, ranging from A to F, offer one of the most widely used snapshots of patient safety in the country.
Why Patient Safety Grades Matter
The Leapfrog Group estimates that more than 200,000 preventable deaths occur each year in U.S. hospitals due to infections, mistakes, falls, and communication failures. These issues often stem from simple breakdowns: a nurse who forgets to sanitize before entering a room, a missed dosage, or incorrect discharge instructions.
Leapfrog uses data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and its own survey to produce its ratings. While the Kansas City region did not have any D or F hospitals, variations between A, B, and C facilities reveal areas of concern for patients seeking care.
Missouri and Kansas Show Different Safety Trends
The 2025 report shows notable differences across nearby states. About 23% of Kansas hospitals earned A grades, while only 17% of Missouri hospitals received the top mark. Missouri’s performance places it 40th nationwide.
Some hospitals, like Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, were previously photographed caring for COVID-19 patients during the 2022 surge, a reminder of how heavily safety practices have been tested in recent years.
Understanding What the Grades Measure
Leapfrog’s categories include:
- Infections
- Problems during surgery
- Overall safety concerns
- Error prevention practices
- Staffing levels and qualifications
Not all facilities are graded; VA hospitals, mental health facilities, pediatric-only hospitals, and certain specialty centers are excluded.
To compare hospitals in areas beyond safety, residents can use Medicare’s online Care Compare tool or refer to rankings from U.S. News & World Report, which analyze specialty care and treatment outcomes.
Kansas City’s Most Unsafe Hospitals (C Grades)
Several Kansas City–area hospitals received C grades, indicating below-average performance in multiple categories:
University Health Truman Medical Center, Kansas City
This hospital scored below average in 10 out of 32 measures, including the lowest possible rating for nursing and bedside care. It has received C grades in seven of its past eight assessments.
Saint Luke’s North Hospital – Barry Road
Scored below average in seven of 28 categories, including poor performance in catheter-related urinary tract infections. It declined reporting in four categories.
Research Medical Center Main Campus
Below average in seven of 32 categories, with one of the lowest scores for nursing care. Its grades have fluctuated between B and C since 2022.
University Health Lakewood Medical Center
Scored below average in five of 26 categories. Limited patient volume meant six categories lacked available data.
The University of Kansas Hospital
Below average in four of 25 categories, with seven areas lacking reported data. It has received C grades for five consecutive cycles.
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Scored below average in five of 32 categories, including the lowest rating for bedside care. Once an A-grade hospital in 2022 and 2023, it has now fallen to a C.
Kansas City’s Safest Hospitals (A Grades)
The following hospitals received A grades for fall 2025:
- AdventHealth South Overland Park Hospital
- Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park
- Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
- Saint Luke’s East Hospital, Lee’s Summit
- Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City
- St. Joseph Medical Center, Kansas City
- St. Mary’s Medical Center, Blue Springs
Kansas City Hospitals With B Grades
Hospitals earning B grades include:
- AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
- Belton Regional Medical Center
- Centerpoint Medical Center, Independence
- Lee’s Summit Medical Center
- Liberty Hospital
- North Kansas City Hospital
- Olathe Medical Center
- Saint Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park
Conclusion
The fall 2025 Leapfrog results show clear differences within Kansas City’s healthcare landscape. While several hospitals maintain strong track records in safety, others continue to struggle with infection control, communication breakdowns, and staffing issues that directly affect patient outcomes. These grades serve as a valuable tool for residents making decisions about where to seek care.
Share your experiences in the comments below.
