Watsonville Community Hospital has earned its first “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group, marking a dramatic improvement in patient safety since the hospital came under public ownership in 2022.
The national nonprofit released its Spring 2026 Hospital Safety Grades this week, awarding Watsonville Community Hospital the highest possible designation after years of lower scores under previous private ownership. When the Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHCD) took control of the hospital in fall 2022, the facility carried a “D” grade.
Leapfrog evaluates nearly 3,000 acute-care hospitals nationwide twice a year using up to 32 measures tied to patient safety, including rates of infections, injuries and preventable medical errors.
Hospital officials said the improvement reflects a broad effort to strengthen care quality and accountability.
“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,” Watsonville Community Hospital CEO Stephen Gray said in a statement.
Gray said the district promised the community a “safer, more accountable hospital” when public ownership began nearly four years ago.
Hospital leaders cited several changes tied to the improved rating, including the addition of board-certified physicians for adult hospitalized patients, implementation of bar code medication administration technology, reductions in serious patient falls and infection rates, and higher patient satisfaction scores related to care and communication.
According to the hospital, infection rates dropped by more than 70 percent during the transition.
“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,” Chief of Medical Staff Christopher O’Grady said in a statement.
Gray called the improvement evidence that community ownership has strengthened the hospital.
“Going from a ‘D’ to an ‘A’ is proof that public ownership works, that community investment works, and that the people of Watsonville deserve — and now have — a hospital they can trust,” he said.
Watsonville Community Hospital serves patients throughout the Pajaro Valley, Santa Cruz County and northern Monterey County with inpatient and outpatient medical services. The hospital is governed by the Pajaro Valley Health Care District, a publicly elected local agency.
PVHCD Board Chair Tony Nuñez said the past year was a difficult one for the members as it worked to raise the hospital’s grade from a D.
“I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment because it reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment of the entire Watsonville Community Hospital team and the greater Pajaro Valley community,” he said in an email.
“Today, Watsonville Community Hospital is not only the safest hospital in the county by Leapfrog’s grading system, but also one of the best reviewed by the patients and families who rely on it.”
Nuñez said the hospital in the coming months will get new imaging equipment thanks to Measure N, a $116 million bond passed by voters in 2024 to pay for upgrades and to purchase the building and property.
“The Pajaro Valley deserves excellent care close to home,” he said. “We will continue fighting to keep Watsonville Community Hospital open, strengthen its services, and expand local health care for the people of the Pajaro Valley.”
Hospital safety grades are available at the Leapfrog Group’s website, hospitalsafetygrade.org.
