#United States #Denver #Patient Safety #Healthgrades #Top Hospitals

Healthgrades Recognizes Excellence in Patient Safety for 2026

On March 10, 2026, Healthgrades, the leading platform for finding healthcare providers in the United States, revealed the recipients of its prestigious Patient Safety Excellence Award™ for 2026. This accolade celebrates hospitals that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in patient safety, minimizing severe safety incidents during hospital stays.

A total of 438 hospitals from 40 states have been honored this year, marking them as part of the top 10% of hospitals nationwide when it comes to patient safety standards. The insightful report from Healthgrades indicates that if all hospitals matched the performance of this year's awardees, 100,819 patient safety events could have been averted between 2022 and 2024.

The data highlights significant safety improvements in award-winning hospitals. Patients treated at these top facilities experienced a markedly lower risk of facing the four most common patient safety incidents:

• - In-hospital falls leading to fractures: Patients were 52.4% less likely to experience this complication.
• - Collapsed lung due to a procedure or surgery: There was a 57.5% decreased likelihood of this occurring within these high-performing hospitals.
• - Catheter-related bloodstream infections: The data revealed a 67.8% lower risk in hospitals recognized for patient safety.
• - Pressure sores or bed sores: Patients had 71.9% lower chances of acquiring these conditions during their hospital stays.

Dr. Alana Biggers, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades, emphasized the significance of these results, stating, “The data behind this year's Patient Safety Excellence Award underscores how measurable improvements in safety can prevent thousands of complications. Hospitals that focus on evidence-based safety practices achieve better clinical outcomes while fostering a culture that prioritizes patient-centric care. This information equips individuals and families with the confidence and knowledge to make informed healthcare choices.”

To qualify for the Patient Safety Excellence Award, hospitals must meet rigorous criteria, including achieving certain clinical quality thresholds, reporting zero instances of foreign objects left behind during procedural activities, and having data available on at least seven out of eight core patient safety indicators (PSIs).

Patients and families can view the comprehensive list of 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipients and their methodology on Healthgrades’ official website. This data is derived primarily from MedPAR data for Medicare patients from 2022 through 2024, reflecting three-year estimates.

About Healthgrades

For over two decades, Healthgrades has been a pivotal player in the healthcare industry, dedicated to connecting patients with doctors and hospitals. As the most reliable source for finding healthcare professionals, the platform empowers millions of individuals each month with vital, treatment-focused information to aid in their healthcare journey. Healthgrades is also part of RVO Health, which encompasses leading health and wellness brands that collectively reach over 100 million unique visitors each month, fostering healthier lifestyles and informed healthcare decisions.