Iowa Lands in Top 10 for Hospital Patient Experience: Here’s What That Actually Means
If you've ever spent time in a hospital, you know your experience is about more than the procedures or care you receive. Things like how well doctors and nurses communicate, whether your questions get answered, and even the cleanliness or noise there can make a big difference to a patients stay. Now, a new nationwide report found that Iowa hospitals are doing a Top 10 job in those areas.
The report from iFax analyzed the latest Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). They ranked all 50 states by patient experience at some 3,165 hospitals across the U.S. Iowa came in 9th in the nation, earning an average patient experience rating of 3.74 out of 5 stars between our states 49 rated hospitals. This puts Iowa ahead of the current national average of 3.29 stars.
How Were the Rankings Determined?
These rankings are based on surveys completed by patients after they leave the hospital. The surveys ask people about their stay and focus on everyday parts of the hospital experience. These include:
- Communication with doctors and nurses
- How quickly staff responded when help was needed
- Whether medications and discharge instructions were explained clearly
- Hospital cleanliness
- Noise levels during a patient's stay
- Overall communication and care coordination
The survey results included in the report cover hospital stays between July 2024 and June 2025. Of the more than 5,400 Medicare-listed hospitals in the country, 3,165 had published patient experience ratings and were included in the analysis. Researchers then averaged the ratings for every hospital within each state to create the final rankings.
These Iowa Hospitals Earned 5-Star Patient Experience Ratings
Even more impressive, ten Iowa communities were home to hospitals that earned the highest possible 5-star patient experience rating. You can find those hospitals in these communities:
- Carroll
- Harlan
- Marengo
- Onawa
- Orange City
- Sioux Center
- Spirit Lake
- Waukon
- Waverly
- Webster City
An important thing to notice is that many of Iowa's highest-rated hospitals are located in smaller towns rather than their larger metro counterparts. That trend wasn't unique to Iowa either. The report found that rural hospitals helped boost rankings across much of the Midwest. It's the idea of neighbors helping neighbors, and when you know the health providers, it certainly seems to make a difference in the care you receive.
The Midwest Performed Exceptionally Well
In fact, several Midwest states also landed near the top of the rankings. Wisconsin finished first in the country with an average rating of 4.06 stars. South Dakota came in second, while Nebraska and Minnesota tied for fourth place. That means five of the top 10 states in the nation are located in the Midwest, making this a larger regional trend. Check out the top 10 list below:
What These Ratings Really Mean
Here's what the numbers don't tell you; these rankings measure patient experience, not overall hospital quality. That means patients are rating what it was like to receive care at a hospital. They are simply sharing their opinions about communication, responsiveness, cleanliness, and whether they felt informed throughout their stay.
CMS also publishes a separate Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating, which looks at very different factors. Those ratings include things like patient safety, mortality, readmission rates, and how effectively hospitals deliver care. In simple terms, the report in this article answers the question, "How did patients feel about their hospital stay?" It does not answer the question, "Which hospitals provide the best medical care?"
To be sure, both ratings are helpful when comparing hospitals, but they measure different parts of someone's healthcare experience. According to the patients, Iowa hospitals across the state are doing a good job of keeping them informed, respected, and cared for during what is often a stressful time.