AI Insight
Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, New Jersey, has received an "A" Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2026, placing it among the top-rated hospitals in the United States for patient safety. Concurrently, the hospital improved its Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Star Rating from a lower tier to four stars, reflecting measurable gains across quality indicators including patient outcomes, safety, readmissions, and patient experience. These ratings are based on standardized national evaluation frameworks applied uniformly across participating hospitals.
Why it matters
Patients in Essex and Passaic counties gain access to independently verified, higher-quality care at a local community hospital, reducing the need to travel to larger regional medical centers. These ratings also serve as accountability tools that incentivize hospitals to maintain and improve clinical standards.
Newswise — MONTCLAIR, New Jersey (May 14, 2026) – Mountainside Medical Center is proud to announce it has received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2026, reflecting the hospital’s continued commitment to the highest standards of patient safety and quality of care. In addition, the hospital has increased its Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Rating to four stars, marking significant performance improvement across key quality and patient experience measures.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a highly respected national measure that assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Earning an “A” places Mountainside Medical Center among the nation’s top hospitals for patient safety.
“Our Leapfrog ‘A’ grade is a powerful testament to the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and team members, who work tirelessly every day to keep our patients safe,” said Tim O’Brien, CEO at Mountainside Medical Center. “Improving our CMS Star Rating to four stars further demonstrates our focus on delivering high‑quality, patient‑centered care and continuously raising the bar for our community.”
The CMS Star Rating system evaluates hospitals on a range of quality measures, including patient outcomes, safety, readmissions, and patient experience. Mountainside Medical Center’s improvement to a four‑star rating highlights meaningful progress driven by clinical excellence, teamwork, and ongoing quality improvement initiatives.
“These recognitions reflect our culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement,” said O’Brien. “We are committed to building on this momentum as we continue to invest in our people, processes, and technology to deliver exceptional care close to home.”
Mountainside Medical Center serves the communities of Essex and Passaic counties and is dedicated to advancing health, safety, and compassionate care for every patient, every day. To learn more about the hospital, visit www.mountainsidemedicalcenter.com.
About Mountainside Medical Center
Mountainside Medical Center has been a trusted provider of healthcare in Montclair and surrounding New Jersey communities since 1891. The hospital is home to specialized centers for imaging, women’s health, cancer care, cardiac care, surgery, weight management, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. Designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the NJ State Department of Health and Senior Services, Mountainside is one of the few community hospitals in the state licensed to perform emergency cardiac angioplasty, offering advanced, life-saving care close to home.
The hospital also features Mountainside Medical Group with expert physicians across primary care and various specialties, ensuring seamless and coordinated care for patients. With conveniently located offices in Montclair, Glen Ridge, Clifton and nearby towns, Mountainside Medical Center makes accessing quality healthcare simple and accessible. To learn more, visit www.mountainsidemedicalcenter.com.
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