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title: "HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment) — Definition"
description: "HCAHPS is the CMS-mandated standardized patient experience survey for US hospitals."
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# HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment)

HCAHPS is the CMS-mandated standardized patient experience survey for US hospitals.

29 questions across communication with nurses, communication with doctors, responsiveness of staff, hospital environment, pain management, discharge information, care transitions, and overall rating. Public reporting required. National 'Always' response rates (2026): communication with nurses ~80%, communication with doctors ~82%, hospital recommendation top box ~71%. Affects hospital reimbursement under value-based purchasing.

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