A Massachusetts hospital where a missing man escaped in October while under an emergency medical hold for mental health treatment has been rated among the worst in the state for patient safety.

Heywood Hospital, located in the city of Gardner in Worcester County, received a “D” rating from the independent health care watchdog group Leapfrog.

Of the 54 hospitals ranked in Massachusetts in the group’s fall 2025 hospital rankings published last week, four received the lowest grade — though none earned an “F.” The other hospitals rated “D” were Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester and MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham.

Heywood Hospital is where Leonard J. Mercury, a 57-year-old Westminster man, escaped from on Oct. 31. He is still missing as of

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