Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the twelfth consecutive time from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. This distinction designates Piedmont Athens as a “Straight A” hospital, a recognition reserved for hospitals that earned an A in spring 2026 and have sustained that grade for five or more consecutive grading rounds.

“Achieving our twelfth consecutive ‘A’ grade highlights the unwavering commitment our team brings to patient safety every day,” said Michael Burnett, CEO of Piedmont Athens Regional. “This consistent recognition reflects our culture of accountability, teamwork and excellence, and I’m incredibly proud of our entire team for their continued dedication to providing safe, high‑quality care to our community.”

The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections. 

“Piedmont Athens Regional deserves recognition for its unwavering focus on protecting patients and delivering safe care, earning an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for 12 consecutive cycles,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Sustaining this level of excellence over time shows a true, organization-wide commitment to making patient safety a top priority every single day.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on preventable medical errors, injuries and infections that can lead to harm or even death. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To see Piedmont Athens Regional’s full grade details and to find essential patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. Connect with The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and stay updated through The Leapfrog Group newsletter.