10 MA Hospitals Recognized For Safety, Experience In New List

MASSACHUSETTS — Ten hospitals in Massachusetts were among hundreds across the country recently recognized for safety and patient experience by Healthgrades, a comprehensive database of ratings and comparisons for physicians, hospitals and health care providers.

The hospital quality awards announced earlier this month are the 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award, presented to 445 hospitals in 44 states, and the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, presented to 419 hospitals in 47 states. Only 83 hospitals, or 2 percent of hospitals nationwide, received both awards, according to a news release.

The safety awards were presented to the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide. These facilities reported zero instances of foreign objects being left behind after a procedure and also have strong safety records on hospital falls that result in hip fractures, collapsed lungs due to a procedure or surgery, pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital, and catheter-related bloodstream infections.

The patient experience awards recognized the top 15 percent of hospitals nationwide, based on criteria such as doctor communication, nurse communication and clear communication about care upon discharge.

The hospitals in Massachusetts that were among those recognized on the Outstanding Patient Experience Award include:

• Brigham And Women's Faulkner Hospital in Boston (Centre Street)
• Brigham And Women's Hospital in Boston (Francis Street)
• Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston
• Tufts Medical Center in Boston
• Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge
• Emerson Hospital in Concord
• Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River
• Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington
• Milford Regional Medical Center in Milford

For each hospital, more than 78 percent of patients said they would "definitely recommend" the facility. Fairview Hospital had the highest grade with 90 percent of patients saying they would definitely recommend it.

Emerson Hospital and Baystate Medical Center in Greenfield also earned the Patient Safety Excellence Award. Emerson was the only hospital in the state to receive both awards.

The data used by Healthgrades’ data scientists and clinical experts to compile the scorecards is reviewed annually by the company’s internal Quality Advisory Board and the outside Special Clinical Experts board. Learn more about the methodology.