Nine consecutive ‘A’ grades demonstrate Carolina Pine’s dedication to patients.

HARTSVILLE, SC (May 6, 2026) – Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center (CPRMC or Carolina Pines) was awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the ninth consecutive grading round by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. This designates Carolina Pines as a “Straight A” hospital, defined as hospitals that have an A for Spring 2026 and have sustained that grade for the last five or more grading rounds. This select group represents approximately 15% of all eligible hospitals.

“Achieving a Leapfrog ‘A’ is an accomplishment in itself – earning nine consecutive ‘As’ is pretty remarkable, and a testament to our team and the culture we’ve built around patient safety,” said Dr. Brian Sponseller, CEO of Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center. “There is a high standard of sustained effort and expertise required to stand out among thousands of hospitals nationwide – a level of safety and quality that should give our patients added confidence in the care they will receive at Carolina Pines.”

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

“Caroline Pines deserves recognition for its unwavering focus on protecting patients and delivering safe care, earning an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for nine consecutive cycles,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Sustaining this level of excellence over time shows a true, organization-wide commitment to making patient safety a top priority every single day.”

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.

The Leapfrog honor is the latest in a series of positive recognitions for Carolina Pines. In March, it received Reputation’s 800 Award for organizations with high customer satisfaction. The hospital was one of 100 – and the only one from South Carolina – named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2025 listing of Great Community Hospitals. It was recently the first hospital in South Carolina to be designated as a Purple Heart Hospital, and it earned designation as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) for Primary Care by the National Center for Quality Assurance. And in 2024 and 2023, CPRMC was named a Top General Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive.

To see Carolina Pine’s full Leapfrog 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.

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.