Marian Regional Medical Center Achieves 2026 Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award

Marian among the top 10% U.S. hospitals for safe, high-quality care

Santa Maria, Calif. – March 26, 2026 – Marian Regional Medical Center 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 Marian’s commitment to safe, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety.

"This award from Healthgrades truly belongs to every single person at Marian Regional Medical Center," said Sue Andersen, President and CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center. "Their commitment to our patients' well-being is something I see every day, and it's what makes this achievement possible. We've worked hard to foster a culture where everyone feels empowered to speak up for safety, whether through continuous staff training, investing in the latest technology to prevent errors, or constantly refining our processes. Knowing that this shared effort directly translates into safer care for our community is incredibly rewarding and motivates us to keep striving for even better."

Marian’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 preventable safety incidents accounting for nearly 78% of all incidents. Patients treated at Marian 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 lung 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, Marian 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 Marian Regional Medical Center
Marian Regional Medical Center is a state-of-the-art, 191-bed medical center located in Santa Maria, California. The modern facility is home to a broad array of services including a level II trauma center, a level III neonatal intensive care unit, a nationally recognized cardiac care center, and the Central Coast’s only Comprehensive Community Cancer Program as recognized by the Commission on Cancer. Marian has been recognized for quality and patient safety and has received an “A” grade in hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group.

Learn more at dignityhealth.org/marianregional.

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.