Many Hospitals Across the U.S. Honored for Patient Safety Excellence
This month, a report has highlighted hundreds of hospitals in the United States that have shown outstanding efforts in keeping their patients safe. The 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Awards, released by Healthgrades, recognized 438 hospitals from 40 states that are among the top 10% nationwide for patient safety.
The report examined how well these hospitals prevent serious avoidable complications during patients’ stays, based on 13 different safety indicators.
Leading the way, five states have the most hospitals earning this prestigious recognition: Texas, Florida, California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The number of award-winning hospitals in these states ranges from 21 to 62, which may be due to the large number of hospitals located there, according to Healthgrades.
While the findings showcase impressive safety performance, particularly in major cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and New York, it highlights the importance of patient safety in healthcare.
Patients treated in these award-winning hospitals faced significantly lower risks for major safety issues. For instance, they were 52% less likely to suffer from falls that could lead to fractures, and 71.9% less likely to develop pressure sores. These four metrics alone often account for a large portion of in-hospital safety events.
Dr. Alana Biggers, a medical advisor at Healthgrades, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating that improvements in safety can prevent thousands of complications.
To qualify for the awards, hospitals had to meet strict standards, including reporting zero cases of certain serious errors. Notably, 250 hospitals made it into the top 5% for safety, with renowned facilities such as Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic included.
However, some states did not have any hospitals recognized, underscoring a gap in access to quality care. This lack may be due to shortages in rural hospitals and areas where healthcare services are limited.
Interestingly, nearly one-third of the hospitals on this year’s list are new honorees, showing a positive trend in hospital performance and safety practices nationwide.
The ongoing focus on patient safety ensures that individuals and families can make informed decisions about their healthcare, and that hospitals continue striving for excellence.
