St. Mary’s Hospital – Kankakee among the nation’s top 10% for exceptional, patient-centered care
Healthgrades names St. Mary’s Hospital a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient
(Kankakee, Ill. – March 12, 2025) – St. Mary’s Hospital, a member of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, announced today 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 St. Mary’s clear commitment to safe, patient-centered care and places the organization in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety, a distinction earned for a second straight year (2024-2025).
“As a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient, St. Mary’s Hospital 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 St. Mary’s for providing consistently exceptional care while preventing serious injuries, giving patients their best chance of a seamless recovery.”
St. Mary’s Hospital was also recognized for excellence in multiple areas of care, earning the 2025 Healthgrades Pulmonary Care Excellence Award and ranking among the top 10% in the nation for overall pulmonary services. St. Mary’s received five-star ratings for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease this year and pneumonia for a second consecutive year. Additionally, it was honored for performance in critical care, earning a five-star rating for sepsis treatment for two years in a row.
“Our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our patients,” said Otis Story, CEO of St. Mary’s Hospital. “Receiving the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for a second year in a row is a testament to our dedicated healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to provide the highest level of care. This recognition underscores our commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and patient-centered excellence.”
St. Mary’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)
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 St. Mary’s Hospital:
St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Ill., is a 182-bed facility that has been a cornerstone of specialty and emergency care, available 24/7 since our inception in 1897. Our facility is equipped with a Level II trauma center, catering to both adult and pediatric patients. We specialize in advanced surgical treatments for critical injuries and illnesses, ensuring that our care teams are attentive to your unique health needs. https://stmaryshospitalkankakee.org/