New Jersey's hospitals are in the top five nationwide for safety, according to the newest report card from The Leapfrog Group.

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Of the 67 New Jersey hospitals evaluated, more than 50 percent received an 'A' grade based on their ability to protect patients from harm and error.

"New Jersey has now moved up to fourth in the overall state rankings," said Erica Mobley, Leapfrog's director of communications.

The Garden State ranked seventh in the group's previous report, released in April. This is its best showing.

The report used 28 measures of patient safety data to come up with each hospital's score, from the quality of doctors to the number of surgical site infections.

According to Mobley, New Jersey hospitals have always scored well with Leapfrog, as they put a "unique" emphasis on safety.

"They're actually even competing with each other on safety," she said. "And every hospital is trying to just get even better."

The 'D' for Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark was the only New Jersey grade below a 'C.' The report cited a number of infections and safety problems, as well as a lack of computerized medication orders.

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