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WASHINGTON (March 12, 2025) — Hospital and health system patients report improvements in overall care experience and perception of safety alongside gains in key safety outcomes, while the health care workforce is experiencing a post-pandemic rebound, according to new findings from the ���������� Association (AHA) and Press Ganey.

The Insights Report “Improvement in Safety Culture Linked to Better Patient and Staff Outcomes” is powered by Press Ganey data and highlights how hospitals that foster a strong culture of safety also report a better experience for patients and the health care workforce. The report demonstrates continued positive trends for hospitals and health systems outlined in a September 2024 AHA report, which showed  a decrease in adverse patient safety events along with increasing health care screenings — even as hospitals are caring for more higher acuity patients.

“Every day in hospitals across America, dedicated care teams strive to deliver safe, high-quality care to every patient. This commitment involves continually identifying what drives better outcomes and then implementing changes to improve patient care,” said AHA President & CEO Rick Pollack. “At the heart of health care are people caring for other people, which is why hospitals support and invest in the success and well-being of their workforce. The latest Press Ganey data highlight that care is getting safer as the experience of both patients and the health care workforce improves.”

Key findings from the new Press Ganey data show:

• 13 million patients surveyed after hospital stays report improvements in their overall care experience and perception of safety.
• Surveys of 1.7 million members of the health care workforce show a rebound in their reported experience, resilience and perceptions of safety culture, following the enormous strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Alongside improvements in safety culture, patient experience and employee experience, there were improvements in key safety outcomes like falls and infections — across more than 25,000 units in 2,430 hospitals.

“This report highlights a fundamental truth—safe, high-quality, patient-centered care thrives in a strong culture of safety. When hospitals support both patients and caregivers, safety improves, workforce resilience grows, and patient experiences strengthen," said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. "The progress so far is encouraging, and by continuing a commitment to high-reliability across every facility and shift, hospitals can build on this momentum and ensure all patients feel safe and supported in their care.”

The full report with more findings can be found on the AHA’s website.

The report is a part of the ���������� Association’s Patient Safety Initiative to help hospitals and health systems improve the culture of safety. Through the work of the Patient Safety Initiative, hospitals and health systems are using safety improvement strategies with proven success, as well as trying new and innovative approaches to further enhance their work. See the AHA website for stories from hospitals and health systems that are implementing innovative efforts that are advancing patient safety and quality. For more information on the Patient Safety Initiative, visit /patientsafety.

About the AHA

The ���������� Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners – including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers – and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.
 

About Press Ganey

Press Ganey partners with healthcare providers and health plans to improve the experiences of their patients and workforce by marrying data with unparalleled technology and expertise. Our HX platform unites and enlivens disparate data, enabling clients to gather, analyze, visualize, and act on key insights to retain employees and ensure the care journey is accessible, safe, equitable, and patient-centered. We are the trusted partner to over 41,000 healthcare provider organizations globally and 85% of health plans in the United States. Press Ganey is a PG Forsta company.