The 5 states with the largest number of safest hospitals, according to a new report
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Hundreds of hospitals across the country are being recognized for keeping patients safe, and a handful of states stand out for having the highest number of high-performing hospitals.
Healthgrades, a platform for finding doctors, healthcare providers and hospitals, this month launched its 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award, naming 438 hospitals in 40 states that are among the top 10% nationally for patient safety.
The analysis highlights facilities that excel in preventing serious and avoidable complications during hospital stays, based on 13 patient safety indicators.
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Among all states, five had the highest number of hospitals earning the distinction: Texas, Florida, California, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Hundreds of hospitals across the United States were recognized for their excellent patient safety performance in a new report. (iStock)
These states led the nation in total number of award recipients, with counts ranging from 21 to 62 hospitals, according to Healthgrades data cited by MedPage Today. The concentration of high-performing hospitals in these states may be due in part to size, the outlet noted.
“The prevalence of receptors in a particular state could be related to something as simple as that state having a large number of hospitals,” a Healthgrades spokesperson told MedPage Today.
However, the findings point to strong safety performance in several of the country’s most populous regions, particularly major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, and New York City.
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Patients treated at these hospitals experienced significantly lower risks of some of the most common and serious safety events, which account for the majority of hospital complications, according to a news release.
The rankings are based on data measuring 13 patient safety indicators, including infections and complications. (iStock)
Compared to other hospitals, patients at award-winning centers were 52.4% less likely to have a fall in hospital resulting in a fracture; 57.5% less likely to suffer a procedure-related lung collapse; 67.8% less likely to develop catheter-related bloodstream infections; and 71.9% less likely to develop pressure ulcers.
Those four indicators alone account for about 78% of all patient safety events, according to Healthgrades, and if all hospitals performed at the same level as this year’s recipients, more than 100,000 patient safety events could have been avoided between 2022 and 2024.
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“The data behind this year’s Patient Safety Excellence Award highlights how measurable improvements in safety can prevent thousands of complications,” Dr. Alana Biggers, medical advisor at Healthgrades, said in a statement.
Hospitals were required to report zero cases of serious errors, such as leaving a foreign object during a procedure. (iStock)
“Hospitals that prioritize evidence-based safety practices not only achieve better clinical outcomes, but also cultivate a culture where patients come first,” Biggers added. “These insights provide individuals and families with the information they need to make safer, better-informed healthcare decisions.”
The award is based on an analysis of Medicare inpatient data, evaluating outcomes such as complications, mortality and preventable safety events. To qualify, hospitals must meet strict clinical thresholds and report zero cases of certain serious errors, such as leaving a foreign object behind during a procedure.
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Overall, 250 hospitals ranked in the top 5% nationally for safety, including facilities affiliated with major systems such as Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and HCA Healthcare.
Meanwhile, 10 states had no hospitals on the list: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, North Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.
Some states had no hospitals on the list, highlighting gaps in access to high-quality care. (iStock)
Experts say factors such as rural hospital shortages and “care deserts” may contribute to those gaps, as patients in underserved areas often face longer travel times and arrive with more advanced conditions.
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Nearly a third of this year’s recognized hospitals were new to the list, according to Healthgrades, reflecting continued changes in hospital performance and safety practices across the country.
The complete list of hospitals that received the Patient Safety Excellence Award can be found here.
News Digital has reached out to Healthgrades for additional comment.
Deirdre Bardolf is a lifestyle writer at News Digital.