Healthgrades names South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient
San Antonio, TX – March 12, 2025 – South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center announced today that it has been recognized as a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center’s clear commitment to safe, patient-centered care and puts the organization in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety three years in a row.
In addition to this 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. These achievements further underscore the organization’s commitment to delivering compassionate, individualized care at every step of the patient journey.
“Earning the Patient Safety Excellence Award four years in a row speaks to the culture of accountability and innovation we’ve built at South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital,” said Angie Kauffman, CEO. “We are continually evolving, training, and investing in our processes to set the standard for surgical excellence and patient safety, ensuring every patient receives the highest quality care. This achievement reflects our commitment to ‘A Tradition of Excellence and a Legacy of Caring.'”
South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center’s achievements are based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. To determine the top-performing hospitals for patient safety, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates for approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. Healthgrades’ 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. From 2021-2023, 173,280 preventable safety events occurred among Medicare patients in U.S. hospitals, with four patient safety indicators accounting for nearly 76% of these incidents.* The annual study found that patients treated in hospitals that received the 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award have a significantly lower chance of experiencing one of the four leading safety indicators than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals:
- In-hospital falls resulting in fracture (54% less likely)
- Collapsed lung due to a procedure or surgery in or around the chest (approximately 55% less likely)
- Pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital (approximately 69% less likely)
- Catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital (72% less likely)
“As a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient, South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center consistently puts the well-being of their patients and staff at the forefront, setting a high standard for patient safety nationwide,” said Debra Gradick, MD FACEP, senior physician consultant at Healthgrades. “We commend South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Center for providing consistently exceptional care while preventing serious injuries, giving patients their best chance of a seamless recovery.”
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. Consumers can visit healthgrades.com for guidance on how to find safe, high quality care in 2025.
*Statistics are calculated from Healthgrades Patient Safety Ratings and Excellence Award methodology which is based primarily on AHRQ technical specifications (Version 2024.0.1) to MedPAR data from approximately 4,500 hospitals for years 2021 through 2023 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Awards Methodology.
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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, a partnership between Red Ventures and Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group. RVO Health has the largest consumer health and wellness audience online across its brand portfolio, including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central and Bezzy, which touch every part of the health and wellness journey. RVO Health helps more than 100 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives each month.