Each year, The Leapfrog Group’s research team reviews the literature and convenes expert panels to ensure the Leapfrog Hospital Survey aligns with the latest science and the public reporting needs of purchasers and consumers. Once the list of proposed changes is assembled for the next year’s Survey, Leapfrog releases that list for public comment. The public comments received are then reviewed by Leapfrog’s research team and used to refine the Survey before it is finalized. The Survey is then pilot tested with a diverse group of hospitals across the country. Following the pilot test, Survey content and scoring are finalized for launch on April 1.
Leapfrog received over 300 public comments in response to its proposed changes for the 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Those comments, as well as the results from the pilot test, were incorporated into the final content and scoring algorithms for the Survey. We have summarized the changes in the document below and included responses to public comments.
We offer our sincere gratitude to all commenters for the time and thought they gave to the 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The submitted comments were invaluable to the development of a high-quality Survey that serves our many constituents, including purchasers and payors, as well as hospitals and the public at large.
We would like to bring your attention to the following finalized changes for the 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which have changed since the publishing of the Proposed Changes:
- Updated scoring and public reporting terminology.
- Removal of proposed fact-finding questions asking hospitals to report on their use of the NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification for their employed staff.
- New questions and revised FAQ for assessing the use of Artificial Intelligence for EHR Application Information.
- New FAQ for Informed Consent to assess the reading level of Spanish-language consent forms.
- Updated questions for Nursing Workforce.
- Updated questions for Diagnostic Excellence.
- Revised FAQs for Hospital Boarding in the Emergency Department (ED).
- New question for Basic Outpatient Department Information.
Summary of Changes to the 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Survey
The 2026 Leapfrog Hospital Survey will open on April 1 and a PDF of the Survey will be available for download here. Leapfrog has scheduled two Town Hall Calls – hospitals and other stakeholders can register here.