5 States Lead Nation in Safest Hospitals, Report Finds

Texas, Florida, California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have the highest number of hospitals recognized for excellence in patient safety.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:27pm

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A new report from Healthgrades has identified the top 5 states with the highest number of hospitals recognized for excellence in patient safety. The analysis looked at 13 key patient safety indicators and found that Texas, Florida, California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania led the nation with between 21 and 62 award-winning hospitals each. Overall, 250 hospitals nationwide ranked in the top 5% for safety, including major health systems like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the importance of patient safety and the significant variations that can exist between states and hospitals when it comes to preventing serious, avoidable complications. Patients treated at the recognized hospitals saw dramatically lower risks for common safety events like falls, infections, and pressure sores compared to other facilities.

The details

Healthgrades, a platform for finding doctors and hospitals, released its 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Awards this month, recognizing 438 hospitals in 40 states that rank among the top 10% nationwide for patient safety. The analysis looked at 13 key patient safety indicators, and found that patients at award-winning hospitals were 52.4% less likely to experience an in-hospital fall resulting in fracture, 57.5% less likely to suffer a collapsed lung, 67.8% less likely to develop a catheter-related bloodstream infection, and 71.9% less likely to develop pressure sores.

  • Healthgrades released its 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Awards this month.
  • The analysis looked at data from 2022 to 2024.

The players

Healthgrades

A platform for finding doctors, health care providers, and hospitals that released the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Awards.

Dr. Alana Biggers

A medical advisor at Healthgrades who commented on the importance of the patient safety data.

Mayo Clinic

A major health system that had hospitals recognized in the top 5% nationwide for safety.

Cleveland Clinic

A major health system that had hospitals recognized in the top 5% nationwide for safety.

HCA Healthcare

A major health system that had hospitals recognized in the top 5% nationwide for safety.

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What they’re saying

“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, Healthgrades

“Hospitals that prioritize evidence-based safety practices not only achieve better clinical outcomes but also cultivate a culture where patients come first. These insights give individuals and families the information they need to make confident and better-informed healthcare decisions.”

— Dr. Alana Biggers, Medical Advisor, Healthgrades

What’s next

Healthgrades plans to release the full list of hospitals that received the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award on their website.

The takeaway

This report underscores the critical importance of patient safety and the significant variations that can exist between hospitals when it comes to preventing serious complications. Patients and families should use this information to make informed decisions about where to seek care, prioritizing facilities with a proven track record of excellence in safety.