Top 5 states with the highest number of safe hospitals, according to 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 top performers.

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

The analysis highlights centers that excel at preventing serious, 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.

Nurse talking to senior woman in hospital bed. She is showing empathy for her condition.

Hundreds of hospitals across the U.S.were recognized for top patient safety performance in a new report.(iStock)

These states led the nation in total award recipients, with counts ranging from 21 to as many as 62 hospitals, according to Healthgrades data cited by MedPage Today.The concentration of high-performing hospitals in these states may be partly driven by size, the outlet noted.

“The prevalence of recipients 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.

Nonetheless, the findings point to strong safety performance across several of the nation’s most populated regions, particularly major metro areas such as Los Angeles,Dallas-Fort Worthand New York City.

Group of healthcare workers moving a patient in a gurney at the hospital - healthcare and medicine concepts

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

Compared to other hospitals, patients at award-winning facilities were 52.4% less likely to experience an in-hospital fall resulting in fracture;57.5% less likely to suffer a collapsed lung related to procedures;67.8% less likely to develop catheter-related bloodstream infections;and 71.9% less likely to develop pressure sores.

Those four indicators alone make up 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.

High angle view of various surgical equipment on a tray inside the operating room at a hospital. Preparation for surgery.

Hospitals were required to report zero cases 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 outcomesbut also cultivate a culture where patients come first,” Biggers added.“These insights give individuals and families the information they need to make confident and 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% nationwide for safety, including facilities affiliated with major 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.

Nurse with mask on placing a pulse oximeter on a patient at the hospital in patient

Some states had no hospitals on the list, highlighting gaps in access to high-quality care.(iStock)

Experts say factors including ruralhospital shortages and “care deserts”may contribute to those gaps because patients in underserved areas often face longer travel times and arrive with more advanced conditions.

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Nearly one-third of this year’s recognized hospitals were new to the list, according to Healthgrades, reflecting continued shifts in hospital performance and safety practices across the country.

The full list of hospitals that received the Patient Safety Excellence Award can be foundhere.