These RI Hospitals Earn Top Marks From Patients

One Rhode Island hospital ranked in the top 5% nationwide for patient experience, according to a new report Tuesday.

Healthgrades, a platform that helps people find doctors and hospitals, presented 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Awards to 373 hospitals in 46 states. They represent the top 15% of hospitals nationwide.

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Rhode Island hospitals recognized are:

Top 5%:

• South County Hospital in Wakefield

Top 10%:

• Westerly Hospital in Westerly

“Better patient experiences are correlated with better health outcomes, which is why patients should always consider patient experience during the care search,” Dr. Alana Biggers, medical advisor at Healthgrades, said in a news release.

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The awards recognize hospitals that “prioritize high-quality, patient-centered care and ensure that patients feel heard, empowered, and confident throughout the care journey,” Biggers said.

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For this annual analysis, Healthgrades evaluated Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems patient survey data across 10 key patient experience measures ranging from room cleanliness to care explanations to determine the nation’s best hospitals for patient experience.

Recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Patient Experience Award earned the highest overall experience scores, reflecting an unwavering commitment to exceptional, individualized care, Biggers said.

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Three specific aspects of patient experience — clear communication with doctors and with nurses and clear explanations of care at the time of discharge — are the best indicators of whether a patient will recommend a hospital to family and friends.

» See the full Outstanding Patient Experience Award recipient list and Outstanding Patient Experience Award Methodology

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