MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center's exceptional clinical performance places the organization in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide

MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center announced today that it is one of America's 250 Best Hospitals for 2026, according to new research released by Healthgrades, the No. 1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. This achievement reflects Saddleback Medical Center's commitment to clinical excellence and exceptional patient care putting the organization in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance for the fourth year in a row.

"We are incredibly proud to earn this national distinction, and it's crucial we keep this level of consistency for the community we serve," says Shela Kaneshiro, RN, MSN, NE-CE, chief executive officer, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. "We remain committed to strengthening performance measures and upholding the highest quality standards to give every patient the greatest opportunity for an excellent outcome."

In addition to this recognition for overall clinical care, Saddleback Medical Center is the recipient of numerous accolades related to its exceptional patient outcomes in key service areas, including Gastrointestinal Care, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Critical Care, Heart Failure, Heart Attack, Stroke, COPD, Hip Fracture Treatment, Colorectal Surgeries, Treatment of GI Bleed, Treatment of Bowel Obstruction, Gallbladder Removal Surgery, Respiratory Failure and Sepsis and Diabetic Hospitalizations. These achievements further underscore the organization's dedication to clinical excellence, placing Saddleback Medical Center among the upper echelon of hospitals nationwide.

Saddleback Medical Center's achievement is based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. To determine America's 250 Best Hospitals for 2026, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for more than 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide.

Healthgrades' analysis found that outcomes vary widely between the nation's highest- and lowest-performing facilities-and the gap is getting bigger. In fact, if all hospitals, as a group, performed similarly to America's 250 Best, on average, 211,370 lives could have been saved during the 2022-2024 study period. These findings illustrate the importance of choosing a facility with an established record of superior clinical outcomes.

"This year's America's Best Hospitals list gives patients a clearer picture of where high-quality care is delivered most consistently," said Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. "Patients can feel confident in their decision to seek care at Saddleback Medical Center, an organization that is setting the standard for clinical excellence nationwide."

With care variation on the rise, consumers must find and select a top-rated hospital to maximize their chances of a successful outcome. Consumers can visit Healthgrades' America's Best Patient Advocate Center to learn more about how Healthgrades identifies the national leaders in clinical excellence.

*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2022 through 2024 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2026 America's Best Hospital Awards Methodology.