Some Rockford Area Hospitals Improve, Others Slip in New Safety Report

The Leapfrog Group has released its Fall 2025 Hospital Safety Grades, offering a snapshot of how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm, infections, and medical errors. Updated twice a year, the grades measure performance across 31 safety indicators, including infection control, medication safety, and staff communication.

Rockford Hospitals See Grade Changes

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For Rockford residents, the new report shows both progress and concern.

• OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center – B (unchanged from Spring 2025)
• UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital – C (down from B)
• Javon Bea Mercyhealth – Rockton – D (unchanged from Spring 2025, hospital has been closed since July 2025)

Mercyhealth – Riverside was not listed in the latest report. Javon Bea Hospital - Riverside DECLINED TO RESPOND, according to Leapfrog.

What does this mean?

Thousands of hospitals nationwide report to the Leapfrog Hospital Survey to help patients and purchasers make better health care decisions. This hospital did not participate.

These results reflect steady work at OSF and new challenges at SwedishAmerican.

Kishwaukee Hospital Sets the Regional Standard

About 40 miles east, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital once again earned an “A” grade, its fifth in a row. Leapfrog cited its strong infection prevention and staffing practices, two areas where many hospitals continue to struggle.

Illinois’ Statewide Performance

Illinois ranked 20th in the nation for overall hospital safety. Thirty-five hospitals earned an “A,” showing steady improvement but uneven results statewide.

As someone who’s lived in Rockford for decades, it’s good to see steady marks at OSF, but these grades remind us all that hospital safety is never a finished job.

See the full Leapfrog Group report here.

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