On Thursday it was announced that several hospitals and clinics within the Mayo Clinic network received A ratings from the nonprofit Leapfrog Group, which included Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin.

Eight sites in all received the grade, including Mayo Clinic sites in Arizona and Florida.

The announcement comes at a time when the two sites in Austin and Albert Lea are going through several changes as Mayo reorders its services among the two hospitals, including the birthing center, which has been moved to Austin.

On top of that, the rating comes at a time when the Austin site is in the midst of a renovation.

“I think that makes our recognition impressive in a way that reflects the resiliency of our staff,”  said Dr. Sumit Bhagra, medical director of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin. “We’re doing our best work even through change.”

Hospitals are rated through Leapfrog by a variety of 28 metrics, including safety issues and how staff operates its hospital in a safe and efficient way.

Bhagra said just 33 percent (1 in 3) of hospitals receive the A rating.

The ratings are given out every six months.

“This really reflects a rising need for transparency,” Bhagra said.

This is not the first time Mayo sites have received such high grades. Earlier this year, Austin and Albert Lea received a grade of B and in 2018, they received As in both gradings.

“What that means to the lay person is compared to an A rated hospital, if they go to a C-rated hospital there is an 88 percent higher risk of mortality,” Bhagra said, echoing findings from Leapfrog. “It could be twice as much if you go to the hospital with a D or an F grade.”

It continues to be an indicator of the care given at Mayo hospitals, Bhagra said.

“Mayo Clinic has been consistently ranked among the top,” he said. “Name any benchmarking group, non-profit, Mayo is consistently on the top.”

Bhagra added that the rating is a consistent reflection of the goals Mayo is trying to reach in order to be the top hospital for patient care.

“Mayo is a model for the care that people strive to reach across the country,” he said.