Central Texas Medical Center in San Marcos and Seton Medical Center Hays in Kyle each received an “A” grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group, a national hospital watchdog, in May.

The ratings were based on patient satisfaction outcomes such as preventable errors—including instruments being left inside patients after surgery as well as accidental cuts and tears during surgery.

“Ensuring our patients’ safety while they are in our care is the job of every single person that works at Central Texas Medical Center,” CTMC President and CEO Anthony Stahl said in a news release. “We’re gratified to be recognized once again with the highest hospital safety score by the Leapfrog Group’s elite program.”

Neal Kelley, vice president and chief operating officer at Seton Hays, said the hospital has made numerous conscious decisions to improve patient safety. Many hospitals staff their intensive care units with internal medicine doctors, he said, but Seton Hays made a decision to hire board-certified intensivists, doctors who have been specially trained in critical care.

“Internal medicine doctors work all throughout the hospital, but when you have special ICU physicians who are trained in critical care, your outcomes are proven to be better,” Kelley said.

Kelley said the hospital plans to continue striving for A ratings in the future.

The safety scores are released twice annually and cover the spring and fall.

“Avoidable deaths in hospitals should be the No. 1 concern of our health care leaders. Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ from Leapfrog are leaders in saving lives, and we commend them and urge their continued vigilance,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group.