Award for the fall 2025 review period marks Carolina Pine’s eighth straight Leapfrog A grade. 

HARTSVILLE, South Carolina (November 13, 2025) – Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (CPRMC) was awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the eighth consecutive time by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. This continues Carolina Pines’ designation as a “Straight A” hospital, defined as hospitals that have an A for fall 2025 and have sustained that grade for the last five or more grading rounds. This select group represents around 12% of all eligible hospitals.

Carolina Pines is also one of only 21 hospitals in South Carolina to earn an “A” grade during Leapfrog’s fall 2025 assessments, which were announced on November 13.

The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries, and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

“My sincere congratulations to Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center for upholding patient safety standards through thick and thin, achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for eight consecutive rounds of the Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Consistently earning an A demonstrates a long-term, organization-wide commitment to putting patient safety first.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on preventable medical errors, injuries, and infections that can lead to harm or even death. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“We’ve earned an A grade for an incredible eight consecutive ratings, and it still is tremendously exciting and validating for our hospital and the amazing team that makes it possible,” said Dr. Brian Sponseller, CEO of Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center. “It is always a challenge to continue to achieve this level of excellence in terms of patient safety and quality care, but we have a team and a culture that drives best practices and exceptional patient outcomes. We hope our success continues to inspire patients to choose Carolina Pines for their healthcare needs.”

The latest Leapfrog Group recognition follows several recent accolades received by Carolina Pines over the past year. In July, the hospital was one of 100 hospitals included in Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2025 listing of “Great Community Hospitals.” This May, Carolina Pines was one of only two ScionHealth community hospitals to earn the Platinum Award, the highest honor of the parent company’s National Quality Strategy, and in April, it earned the prestigious Leapfrog “A” grade as part of the spring 2025 ratings cycle. In December – for the second consecutive year – Carolina Pines was named a Top General Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, an honor bestowed annually to fewer than 40 hospitals from across the country.

To view Carolina Pine’s full grade details and to find essential patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. Connect with The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and stay updated through The Leapfrog Group newsletter. 

About Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center

As part of the ScionHealth network of hospitals, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (CPRMC) provides high-quality healthcare services to the people of several counties in northeastern South Carolina. Patients have come to rely on our experienced, skilled staff and physicians to provide them with the highest level of care and compassion. Through the facilities on our campus, including a 116-bed acute care hospital and an adjoining medical office building, we provide comprehensive services with two things in mind: the care and comfort of our patients. Learn more about CPRMC at www.cprmc.com.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.