South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center among the top 5% U.S. hospitals for safe, high-quality care
San Antonio, TX – March 10, 2026 – South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient 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 South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center’s commitment to safe, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety for five years in a row.
Alongside this national recognition for patient safety, South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center was recently named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement for five years in a row- and the recipient of numerous accolades based on its exceptional performance in key service areas, including total knee replacement, total hip replacement, and spinal fusion surgery. These achievements further underscore the organization’s commitment to delivering compassionate, individualized care at every step of the patient journey.
“Being recognized with the Patient Safety Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive year reflects the dedication our entire team brings to delivering safe, high-quality care,” said Angie Kauffman, CEO. “At South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital, we continuously strengthen our clinical practices, invest in training, and refine our processes to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. This recognition reinforces our commitment to ‘A Tradition of Excellence and a Legacy of Caring.
South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient 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 South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient 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 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, South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient 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 South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital
Dedicated to the principles of compassion and advanced surgical care, South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and OPC stand as pillars of health and healing within the San Antonio community. Originating from a commitment to address the distinct needs of patients requiring spine, orthopedic, and surgical interventions, our institution has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare hub.
What distinguishes South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and OPC is our steadfast focus on the patient. We customize every aspect of care to suit individual needs, fostering a holistic and personalized healing experience. Our dedication is evident in the collaboration of expert medical professionals, cutting-edge facilities, and an unwavering commitment to providing world-class healthcare services. As a physician-owned hospital, we take an innovative approach to healthcare, crafting an integrated and holistic journey towards successful surgery, a pleasant hospital stay, and a swift recovery.
Our specialized staff is extensively trained and possesses significant experience in orthopedic, spine, and pain management procedures.
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.