WASHINGTON — Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta was recently named one of three top rural hospitals in the United States for patient safety by the Leapfrog Group.

According to a news release, the “Top Hospital” designation is the most competitive national hospital quality award in the country. It recognizes hospitals that deliver the highest quality care by preventing medical errors, reducing mortality for highrisk procedures, and reducing hospital readmissions for patients being treated for conditions like pneumonia and heart attack.

“ We’re all very excited about this award,” said Lincoln County Healthcare CEO Jim Donovan. “And I’m especially proud of our clinical and quality departments. This special recognition requires an enormous effort and a thoughtful, careful approach to providing care.”

While numerous agencies and organizations collect and publicize hospital quality data, the Leapfrog hospital survey, now in its 11th year, is the toughest standard-bearer and provides the most complete picture of a hospital’s quality and safety. The survey focuses on three areas of hospital care: how patients fare, resources used to care for patients, and management practices that promote safety and quality.

“A safe hospital is one where nationally proven standards of care are strictly followed,” said Cindy Coyne, director of Quality Management and Safety. “We literally have hundreds of safety procedures and initiatives in place in our hospitals to prevent medication errors, surgical errors, hospital-acquired infections, and injuries from patient falls.”