Quality & Safety of Patient Care

At UCSF Health, our goal is to provide safe care of the highest quality to all our patients. To help ourselves meet this goal, we track objective measures of our performance, comparing them with those of other top medical centers nationwide as well as our own high standards. No matter how well we measure up, we continually seek ways to improve.

We define high-quality care as:

Effective. Care is based on scientific evidence and provided to all who could benefit.
Safe. Avoids harm to patients.
Timely. Limits waiting and delays for both those who receive and those who give care.
Equitable. Care doesn't vary in quality due to the patient's personal characteristics, such as gender and ethnicity.

Awards & recognition

Ranked among the best

We're one of the nation's top hospitals for adult care, according to U.S. News & World Report – one of just 22 hospitals to earn this distinction.

U.S. News rankings
Top specialty care

We're ranked among the 10 best hospitals nationwide – as well as the best in Northern California – for seven medical specialties.

U.S. News rankings
Five-star rating

We received 5 out of 5 stars for quality, safety and patient experience from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

CMS rating
Gold seal of approval

Our commitment to safe high-quality care has earned us the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission, the nation's largest health care accrediting organization.

Joint Commission accreditation
Top performer for quality

We're named a top performer for health care safety, efficacy and equity by Vizient, another third-party organization that assesses hospital performance.

Vizient rating
Top honors for quality and safety

Our commitment to protecting patients earned UCSF Health an “A” in patient safety from the Leapfrog Group, along with a “top hospital” recognition for our Parnassus and Mount Zion medical centers.

Leapfrog recognitions
Excellence in nursing

Since 2012, we've achieved Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which is awarded for nursing excellence, high-quality care and innovations in nursing practice.

Magnet recognition

The patient experience

What our patients are saying

UCSF Health was among the first medical centers in the nation to conduct patient experience surveys. We use the results to evaluate how we're doing, track our progress in enhancing care and identify opportunities for improvement.

Our survey results

Patient safety: How you can help

Your safety is our top priority, and we have many measures in place to protect you during a medical visit or hospital stay. However, no system is error-proof. With a few simple steps, you can help us prevent medical errors.

Patient safety tips

Our performance by the numbers

You have many choices of where to go for health care. We believe medical centers should be transparent about their performance so that patients and their families can make informed decisions.

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

One of the most common infections in the hospital is a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). These infections can lead to serious complications.

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections

Central lines, also called central venous catheters, are tubes placed into a patient's large vein, often in the neck, chest, arm or groin. Find more info here.

Fall Prevention

Patients who have undergone surgery or who are taking pain medications may find it difficult to stand, walk or maintain their balance. Find more info here.

Hand Hygiene

To protect patients from infection, we require that patient care workers thoroughly clean their hands before and after caring for each patient.

Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries

A pressure injury, sometimes called a bedsore, is a wound in the skin or underlying tissue caused by pressure, friction and moisture. Find more info here.

Ventilator-Associated Events

Ventilator-associated events (VAEs) are complications or infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia, caused by the use of a mechanical ventilator.

Caring for the whole person

Good care goes beyond diagnosis and treatment. Our patients have access to many services designed to support their overall well-being – in mind, body and spirit.

Case Management & Social Work

Connect with a team that can help you find resources, solve problems and advocate for you during treatment at UCSF.

Interpreting Services

UCSF offers interpreters in various languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), as well as services for deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually impaired patients.

Patient Relations

We welcome feedback about your experience at UCSF Health. Find out how to contact us with comments, questions or concerns.

Spiritual Care Services

Chaplains representing many faiths are available around the clock to provide support, comfort and counsel to patients, families and caregivers.

"At UCSF Health, our success is measured not only by the number of lives we save but also by the confidence our patients and their families place in us to provide high-quality care."

– Suresh Gunasekaran, President and CEO of UCSF Health