For people close to Mercy Hospital Washington, it wasn’t that big of a surprise. They know how the hospital has put a great emphasis on the safety of the patients it serves.Mercy Hospital Washington has earned the designation of being one of the top hospitals in the country when it comes to safety of patients. It has been named a Top Hospital, a designation going to only 115 hospitals in the country, by The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit national organization that surveys hospitals.The selection is based on the results of the 2016 Leapfrog Hospital Survey Performance in many areas of hospital care, including infection rates, maternity care and a hospital’s ability to prevent medication errors. The standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.Mercy Hospital Washington is one of only two hospitals in Missouri to earn the Top Hospital recognition.Mercy Hospital Washington is fortunate to have such a dedicated staff of doctors, nurses, technicians, other specialists, administrative co-workers, housekeeping, grounds crew, security personnel — all with great pride in serving patients with the highest degree of care, with constant emphasis on safety.Mercy Hospital Washington is recognized as a leader in health care in the Mercy System, that is spread across six states, four states of which have Mercy Hospitals. Its co-workers have embraced pride in serving patients with the highest degree of care possible.The Record joins others in the hospital’s service area in offering congratulations to Mercy Hospital Washington. We have a hospital to be proud of, and a staff that never stops trying to do better in caring for patients. This award is proof of the dedicated and talented staff.