Wisconsin has more hospitals with top ratings for nurse communication than any other state, according to new data being touted by the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
The group today is rolling out findings from Becker’s Hospital Review based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, or HCAHPS. The standardized national survey of patients was conducted from July 2024 to June 2025.
These figures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show 44 hospitals in the state got five-star ratings for nurse communication, exceeding Pennsylvania at No. 2 with 42 top-rated hospitals, Texas at No. 3 with 33 and Ohio at No. 4 with 32.
The ratings, which are based on publicly reported measures, indicate patient sentiment on how their nurses explained things to them, listened to them and “treated them with courtesy and respect,” according to WHA.
WHA President and CEO Kyle O’Brien says the state’s No. 1 placement on the list reflects both the efforts of individual nurses and the support provided by hospitals and health systems to enable effective communication.
“At a time when workforce challenges continue to strain hospitals and health systems across the nation, Wisconsin hospitals continue to prioritize resources on investments that will help our workforce communicate effectively with patients and deliver the exceptional care our communities depend on,” he said in a statement.
Nurse wages in the state are in the top quartile nationally, WHA notes, adding hospitals provided nearly $400 million in education and loan forgiveness programs in 2024. That’s 26% more than in the prior year.
Despite Wisconsin’s strong showing in the ratings, O’Brien argues “we cannot take this ranking for granted,” noting nurses and other providers are spending more time dealing with “regulatory burden” from insurers and the government.
He says insurance companies denying previously authorized care as well as prior authorization have “direct negative impacts on patients but also are a distraction” from patient care.
