06/01/2026
Watsonville Community Hospital Earns “A” Safety Grade, Marking Dramatic Turnaround Under Public Ownership
Watsonville Community Hospital (WCH) announced it has earned an “A” grade in the Spring 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade ratings — the highest possible designation — representing one of the most significant safety turnarounds among community hospitals in California. The grade was released this week by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit organization that evaluates hospital safety and quality on behalf of patients and healthcare consumers.
When the Pajaro Valley Health Care District assumed public ownership and oversight of WCH in the fall of 2022, following a period of private corporate ownership, the hospital carried a “D” safety grade. In less than four years under public stewardship, the hospital has climbed to the top of the grading scale.
Hospitals earning an "A" grade have demonstrated superior performance in preventing medical errors, infections, injuries, and other preventable
patient harms.
“This ‘A’ grade belongs entirely to the hardworking, dedicated people who work at this hospital — the nurses, physicians, technicians, support staff, and every team member who shows up every day committed to doing right by our patients,” said Stephen Gray, CEO of WCH. “When the Pajaro Valley Health Care District took ownership in 2022, we made a promise to this community: that a publicly owned hospital would mean a safer, more accountable hospital.”
Watsonville Community Hospital made measurable, impactful safety improvements including:
· additional board-certified physicians for adult hospitalized patients
· implementation of bar code medication administration
· reduction of serious patient falls
· lowering of infection rates by over 70%
· improvement in patient satisfaction ratings for their care and caregivers’ communication
“The medical staff is proud of the hard work of Watsonville's ancillary staff, nurses and physicians who contributed to this important patient safety recognition,” said Chief of Medical Staff Dr. Christopher O’Grady.
