Healthgrades Reveals 2026 Top Hospitals for Exceptional Patient Experience

Healthgrades Announces 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Award Winners

Healthgrades has revealed the recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Awards, recognizing hospitals that deliver exceptional care while ensuring a positive patient journey. The awards honor facilities that excel in both quality of care and patient satisfaction.

The 2026 recipients include 373 hospitals from 46 states, representing the top 15% of hospitals nationwide for patient experience. These hospitals were selected based on rigorous evaluation criteria, including patient feedback and performance metrics.

Top States with Most Award-Winning Hospitals

The states with the highest number of 2026 award winners are:

• Texas: 31 hospitals
• Wisconsin: 28 hospitals
• Pennsylvania: 25 hospitals
• California: 23 hospitals
• Ohio: 23 hospitals

Breakdown of Award Recipients

Of the 373 recognized hospitals:

• 16 hospitals earned triple distinctions, including the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, Patient Safety Excellence Award, and America’s Best Hospitals recognition.
• 80 hospitals received dual awards for both Outstanding Patient Experience and Patient Safety Excellence.

How Winners Were Selected

Healthgrades evaluated hospitals using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey data submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The surveys assess multiple aspects of patient experience, including:

• Communication with doctors and nurses
• Staff responsiveness
• Discharge information clarity
• Room cleanliness
• Hospital quietness

To qualify for consideration, hospitals were required to submit at least 100 patient surveys. Healthgrades then evaluated hospitals across 10 patient experience measures to identify those with the highest overall scores nationwide.

Key Factors in Patient Recommendations

According to Healthgrades, the most influential factors in whether patients recommend a hospital to friends and family are:

• Doctor communication
• Nurse communication
• Clear communication during discharge

The organization emphasized that effective communication and patient-centered care significantly impact how patients perceive their hospital experience.

Why These Awards Matter for Patients

"Better patient experiences are correlated with better health outcomes, which is why patients should always consider patient experience during the care search. Healthgrades’ Outstanding Patient Experience Award recognizes hospitals that prioritize high-quality, patient-centered care and ensure that patients feel heard, empowered, and confident throughout the care journey."

Experts highlight that awards like these provide valuable insights for individuals and families making healthcare decisions. However, Healthgrades notes that these awards are not endorsements and should be used alongside other factors when evaluating hospital quality.

Important Considerations for Patients

While these awards recognize high-performing hospitals, Healthgrades advises patients to use them as one of many tools when selecting a healthcare provider. Patient experience scores should not be the sole factor in determining a hospital’s quality of care.