Kansas City, MO – March 10, 2026 – St. Joseph Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, announced today that it has achieved the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ from Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use to find a doctor or hospital. This award reflects St. Joseph Medical Center’s commitment to safe, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety.
“Patient safety is at the core of everything we do. Being recognized by Healthgrades is a powerful affirmation of our organization’s unwavering commitment to delivering safe, high‑quality care to every patient, every day. This achievement reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and care teams, as well as our continued investment in evidence‑based practices, advanced technology, and ongoing education designed to reduce risk and elevate outcomes. We are proud of this recognition, but even more proud of the culture of safety and accountability that made it possible”. Scott Corcoran, MD, CMO
St. Joseph Medical Center’s achievement is based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. To determine the national leaders in patient safety, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates from approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide across 13 patient safety indicators (PSIs), with each PSI representing a serious, preventable complication.
Healthgrades’ annual analysis revealed significant performance gaps between the nation’s highest-and lowest-achieving facilities, making it increasingly important for consumers to seek care at a hospital with top safety ratings. During the 2022-2024 study period, 167,228 preventable safety events occurred among Medicare patients at U.S. hospitals, with four PSIs accounting for nearly 78% of all incidents. Patients treated at St. Joseph Medical Center and other award-winning facilities had a profoundly lower risk of experiencing these leading complications:
- In-hospital fall resulting in fracture (52.4% less likely)
- Collapsed lungs due to a procedure in or around the chest (57.5% less likely)
- Catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital (67.8% less likely)
- Pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital (71.9% less likely)
“The data behind this year’s Patient Safety Excellence Award highlights how measurable improvements in safety can prevent thousands of complications,” said Dr. Alana Biggers, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “By prioritizing evidence-based safety practices, St. Joseph Medical Center is achieving better clinical outcomes and cultivating a culture where patients come first.”
Where you’re treated matters, which is why Healthgrades is committed to providing the most scientifically accurate information about doctors and hospitals–with data insights not available anywhere else. For additional guidance on finding safe, high-quality care in 2026, visit healthgrades.com.
*Statistics are calculated from Healthgrades’ Patient Safety Excellence Award Methodology, which is based primarily on AHRQ technical specifications (Version 2025.0.1) to MedPAR data from approximately 4,500 hospitals for years 2022 through 2024 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only.
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About St. Joseph Medical Center
St. Joseph Medical Center is a faith-based, 234 bed hospital providing a wide range of acute care and outpatient services. Key services include Healient Physicians Group, specializing in Cardiology, Vascular and Wound Care, Senior Care Services, the Breast Center and Orthopedic Services. St. Joseph is a member of Prime Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading hospital systems for clinical excellence. For more information, visit stjosephkc.com.
About Healthgrades
Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering meaningful connections between patients, doctors, and hospitals. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content.
For over 20 years, our health system, group practice, and life sciences marketing solutions have helped our partners reach and engage consumers on their way to the doctor.
Healthgrades is part of RVO Health, the largest consumer health and wellness platform. RVOH’s audience across its brand portfolio, including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central, and Bezzy, touches every part of the health and wellness journey. RVO Health helps more than 70 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives each month.