Guthrie Cortland Medical Center announced on Mar. 10 that it has received the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades, a site known for helping patients find doctors and hospitals. The award places Guthrie Cortland Medical Center among the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide for patient safety.
The recognition is significant because it highlights the hospital’s commitment to providing safe and patient-centered care. The award is based solely on patient outcomes, reflecting how well the hospital prevents serious, avoidable complications.
Jennifer Yartym, President of Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, said, “This award from Healthgrades speaks to the heart of how we approach patient care. Every person who comes to us is someone’s family member, friend or neighbor. Their care and safety are our highest priority.”
Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates from about 4,500 hospitals across 13 patient safety indicators to determine national leaders in patient safety. Each indicator represents a serious but preventable complication. Patients treated at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center and other recognized facilities had a much lower risk of experiencing these complications.
Dr. Alana Biggers, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades, said, “The data behind this year’s Patient Safety Excellence Award highlights how measurable improvements in safety can prevent thousands of complications. By prioritizing evidence-based safety practices, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center is achieving better clinical outcomes and cultivating a culture where patients come first.”
According to Healthgrades’ methodology notes, statistics for this award are calculated using technical specifications from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) with MedPAR data from approximately 4,500 hospitals between 2022 and 2024. These estimates apply to Medicare patients only.
