5 states lead the nation in patient safety, according to Healthgrades

Hundreds of hospitals across the country are recognized for keeping patients safe, and a handful of states stand out with top-performing hospitals.

Healthgrades, a platform for finding doctors, healthcare providers and hospitals, this month announced its 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Awards, recognizing 438 hospitals in 40 states that rank in the top 10% nationwide for patient safety.

The analysis highlights centers that excel at preventing serious, preventable complications during a hospital stay, based on 13 patient safety indicators.

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Of all states, five had the most hospitals to earn this distinction: Texas, Florida, California, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

These states led the nation in total award recipients, with hospitals ranging from 21 to 62, according to Healthgrades data cited by MedPage Today. The density of high-performing hospitals in these states may depend in part on size, the outlet noted.

“The prevalence of recipients in a particular state may be related to something as simple as having a high number of hospitals in that state,” a spokesperson for Healthgrades told MedPage Today.

However, the findings point to strong safety performance in some of the nation’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 saw significantly lower risks for some of the most common and serious safety incidents that account for the majority of in-hospital complications, according to a news release.

The rankings are based on data measuring 13 patient safety indicators, including infections and complications. (iStock)

Compared with other hospitals, patients at award-winning facilities had a 52.4% lower risk of an in-hospital fall resulting in a fracture; 57.5% less likely to experience a collapsed lung due to procedures; 67.8% less likely to get catheter-related bloodstream infections; and 71.9% are less likely to develop pressure sores.

These four indicators alone account for nearly 78% of all patient safety incidents, according to Healthgrades, and if all hospitals performed at the same level as this year’s recipients, more than 100,000 patient safety incidents could have been prevented between 2022 and 2024.

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Healthgrades’ medical advisor, Dr. “The data behind this year’s Patient Safety Excellence Award shows how measurable improvements in safety can prevent thousands of complications,” Alana Biggers said in a statement.

Hospitals were required to report zero incidents of serious errors, such as leaving a foreign object behind during a procedure. (iStock)

“Hospitals that prioritize evidence-based safety practices not only achieve better clinical outcomes but also foster a culture where patients come first,” Biggers added. “This information gives individuals and families the information they need to make confident and more informed health care decisions.”

The award is based on analysis of Medicare inpatient data and evaluates outcomes such as complications, mortality rates and preventable safety events. To qualify, hospitals must meet strict clinical thresholds and report zero incidents 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 large systems such as Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and HCA Healthcare.

Ten states had no hospitals on the list: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, North Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.

The lack of hospitals on the list in some states revealed gaps in access to high-quality care. (iStock)

Factors such as rural hospital shortages and “care deserts” may contribute to these gaps, experts say, because patients in underserved areas often face longer travel times and arrive with more advanced conditions.

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According to Healthgrades, almost a third of hospitals recognized this year are new additions to the list; This reflects ongoing changes in hospital performance and safety practices across the country.

You can find the full list of hospitals that received the Excellence in Patient Safety Award here Here.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Healthgrades for additional comment.