Only Hospital in South Dakota to achieve top safety rating
Rapid City, S.D., Nov. 24, 2025 – Monument Health Rapid City Hospital has again earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety, making it the only hospital in South Dakota to receive this distinction. Only about 30% of U.S. hospitals achieve a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade of “A.” Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
This marks another consecutive cycle of top-tier recognition for Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, demonstrating sustained excellence in protecting patients from preventable harm.
“This ‘A’ grade represents more than a letter, it reflects our unwavering commitment to the patients and families who trust us with their care,” said Jill Tice, Monument Health Vice President of Quality Safety and Risk Management. “Being the only hospital in South Dakota to achieve this recognition is a testament to our physicians, nurses, and entire care team who work tirelessly every day to uphold the highest safety standards. We don’t just meet benchmarks; we continuously challenge ourselves to redefine what excellent, safe care looks like for our community.”
“Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I extend my congratulations to Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.”
“Patient safety isn’t a goal we reach, it’s a standard we maintain every single day through rigorous protocols, continuous training, and a culture where every team member is empowered to speak up,” said Brad Archer, M.D., Monument Health Chief Medical Officer. “Earning this recognition year after year, and standing alone in our state with this achievement, reinforces that our commitment to protecting every patient is unwavering. I’m honored to be part of an organization that truly lives its mission of making a difference, every day.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
To explore Rapid City Hospital’s full grade details and to find valuable tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. Connect with The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram and stay informed through The Leapfrog Group newsletter.
###
About Monument Health
Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.