Valued Voice

Wisconsin hospitals are demonstrating continued leadership in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, as evidenced by earning national recognition in the latest round of Healthgrades quality rankings.

Healthgrades, a leading national evaluator of hospital performance, uses publicly reported data to annually recognize hospitals across the country for excellence in patient experience, clinical outcomes and patient safety. This data includes patient survey feedback and clinical performance to help consumers better understand and compare hospital quality. Through this work, Healthgrades awards the Outstanding Patient Experience Award to hospitals that excel at providing high-quality care while ensuring patients feel heard, informed and supported throughout their care journey, reflecting patient perspectives on key aspects of care such as communication with doctors and nurses, staff responsiveness and clarity of information provided during and after a hospital stay. 

In total, 373 hospitals received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award this year, representing the top 15% of hospitals nationwide. Notably, 28 hospitals in Wisconsin earned this distinction, further emphasizing the state’s strong performance. Additionally, two Wisconsin hospitals received both the 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Award and the Patient Safety Excellence Award, highlighting performance across both patient experience and safety. 

“While the national data is notable, Wisconsin continues to stand out for its strong patient experience reputation. Year after year, our state sees a significant number of hospitals recognized through the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, reflecting a deep and ongoing commitment to patient-centered care, strong care team communication and a focus on the overall patient journey,” said WHA Chief Quality Officer Nadine Allen.

Wisconsin’s continued presence across these national recognitions reinforces that hospitals statewide remain leaders in delivering safe, high-quality care with a strong emphasis on the patient experience.