Hospitals across Minnesota received top grades in protecting patient safety, despite the average risk of contracting deadly healthcare-associated infections remaining elevated after spiking to a 5-year high during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report.
The collaborative of Northland health care providers earned the 2022 Minnesota Rural Health Team Award because of its contribution to improving rural health care in the state.
The four penalized hospitals include St. Luke's in Duluth, Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital in Grand Rapids, Essentia Health in Virginia and University Medical Center-Mesabi in Hibbing.
Minnesota hospitals that ranked in the bottom 25% nationally for preventing infections and other illness gained while under care included regional facilities owned by Mayo Clinic, Essentia, Fairview and CentraCare. The facilities will lose 1% on Medicare payments for the coming year.