80+ HCAHPS Survey Questions You Need to Ask (+Free Template)

Looking for HCAHPS survey questions? You’re in the right place.

In this article, we will:

• Give you a simple overview of what HCAHPS is and why it matters (plus, we’ve got a free template for you).
• Break down the seven key areas covered by HCAHPS survey questions.
• Discover why you need HIPAA compliance in your HCAHPS surveys
• Learn how to create an HCAHPS survey with SurveySparrow.

Let’s first clear up what HCAHPS is, and why these questions are so important.

What is HCAHPS?

The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) is a way to measure how patients feel about their treatment, and overall experience, at a healthcare facility. They are usually asked to fill out these surveys during or after their stay at the hospital. 

How is the HCAHPS survey different from other surveys?

HCAHPS surveys are standardized across all hospitals in the US. This means every hospital asks the same questions, making it easier to compare patient experiences nationwide. Hospitals can add their own custom questions, but the main part of the survey stays the same.

Secondly, HCAHPS was the first national survey in the U.S. to collect, and publicly share, patient feedback about healthcare. 

Lastly, unlike other patient satisfaction surveys, HCAHPS results are available to the public. This allows anyone to see how hospitals perform on patient care. You can even find summaries and detailed reports on hcahpsonline.org.

Want to start improving your hospital’s patient care? Get going with our free HCAHPS survey template. Click below to start using: 

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Top HCAHPS Survey Questions for 2024

HCAHPS survey questions cover multiple aspects of care, including interactions with doctors and nurses, cleanliness, pain management, and the hospital environment. 

Here’s a deeper dive into the HCAHPS survey question types.

#A. HCAHPS Nurse Questions

Nurses play a vital role in patient care. After all, they often spend the most time with patients during a hospital stay. These HCAHPS survey questions focus on how patients perceive the care they get from nurses.

1. How often did the nurse treat you with courtesy and respect during your hospital stay?
2. How often did the nurses listen carefully to you?
3. During your hospital stay, how often did the nurse explain things in a way you could understand?
4. After you pressed the “Call” button, how often did you get help as soon as you wanted it?
5. How often did nurses check on you to see if you needed assistance?
6. Did the nurse involve you in decisions about your treatment and care?
7. How clearly did the nurse explain the tests or procedures before they were conducted?
8. Were the nurses responsive when you expressed concerns or discomfort?
9. How frequently did nurses manage your pain effectively?
10. How comfortable did you feel when talking to the nurse about sensitive topics like symptoms or treatments?

#B. HCAHPS Physician Questions

Physicians are a key component of a patient’s hospital experience. This section assesses how well doctors communicate, and provide care.

1. How often did the doctor treat you with courtesy and respect?
2. How often did the doctor listen to you carefully?
3. How often did the doctor explain things in a way you could understand?
4. How clearly did the doctor explain your diagnosis?
5. Did the doctor provide detailed explanations about treatment options?
6. How often did the doctor involve you in decisions about your care?
7. Were the doctor's instructions for follow-up care clear and easy to understand?
8. Did the doctor ensure that your concerns were addressed during the consultation?
9. How frequently did the doctor check on your progress during the hospital stay?
10. Were you satisfied with the amount of time the doctor spent with you?

#C. HCAHPS Cleanliness Questions

The cleanliness of the hospital’s environment (including patient rooms and bathrooms), plays a huge role in overall health outcomes. In one study, cleanliness was identified as a strong predictor of overall patient satisfaction as well. 

1. How often were your room and bathroom kept clean during this hospital stay?
2. How frequently did the housekeeping staff visit to clean your room?
3. Were you satisfied with the cleanliness of your bed linens?
4. How clean was the floor in your room and surrounding area?
5. Were the trash bins in your room emptied regularly?
6. How clean were the common areas, such as hallways and waiting rooms, during your stay?
7. Did the hospital staff take measures to prevent cross-contamination (e.g., wearing gloves)?
8. Were the bathrooms stocked with necessary supplies (soap, toilet paper)?
9. How often did you notice hospital staff using hand sanitizers?
10. Did you feel that the hospital followed proper hygiene protocols during your stay?

#D. HCAHPS Medication Questions

Proper medication administration and communication are essential for patient safety. This section focuses on how well-informed patients are about their medications.

1. Were you given any medicine you had not taken before?
2. Before giving you any new medication, how often did the staff tell you what the medicine was for?
3. Before giving you any new medication, how often did the staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?
4. How often did hospital staff check with you to ensure you understood your medications’ dosage and timing?
5. Were you given clear written information about the medications you would take at home?
6. Did the hospital staff double-check your identity before administering each dose of medication?
7. How frequently were your medications given at the correct times?
8. Were you informed about potential interactions between your new medications and others you might be taking?
9. How often were you consulted about your preferences for medication?
10. Did the hospital staff provide you with resources to learn more about your medications?

#E. HCAHPS Discharge Information Questions

Proper discharge planning ensures that patients leave the hospital with a clear understanding of their follow-up care, medications, and potential complications.

1. After leaving the hospital, did you go directly to your home, someone else’s home, or another health facility?
2. During this hospital stay, did doctors, nurses, or other staff talk with you about whether you would have the help you needed when you left the hospital?
3. Did you get information in writing about what symptoms or health problems to look out for after you left the hospital?
4. Were you informed about follow-up appointments or treatments you would need after discharge?
5. Did you receive instructions on how to manage your health condition after leaving the hospital?
6. Were you provided with emergency contact information in case of complications?
7. Did hospital staff ensure that you understood your discharge instructions?
8. Were arrangements made for any necessary home healthcare services or equipment?
9. How well did hospital staff explain what activities you should avoid after discharge?
10. Did you feel confident in managing your recovery after leaving the hospital?

#F. HCAHPS Pain Management Questions

Managing pain effectively is a crucial aspect of patient care and comfort. Here are 10 HCAHPS survey questions that address this area in detail. 

1. How often did hospital staff ask about the level of your pain?
2. Were you given options to help manage your pain aside from medication?
3. Did you feel your pain was managed adequately during your stay?
4. How quickly did the hospital staff respond when you reported pain?
5. Were you informed about the side effects of pain medications?
6. Did hospital staff discuss non-medication pain relief methods with you?
7. How often did the staff reassess your pain levels after administering medication?
8. Did you feel hospital staff understood your concerns about pain management?
9. Were alternative therapies, such as physical therapy or relaxation techniques, offered to manage pain?
10. How satisfied were you with the overall management of your pain?

#G. HCAHPS Patient Satisfaction Questions

Patient satisfaction is the ultimate measure of hospital performance. These survey questions evaluate the patient’s overall experience during their hospital stay.

1. How would you rate this hospital during your stay?
2. How likely are you to recommend this hospital to your friends or family?
3. Did you feel that the hospital staff were attentive to your needs?
4. How satisfied were you with the hospital food and meal service?
5. How well did the hospital meet your expectations for care and treatment?
6. Did the hospital provide sufficient accommodations for family or friends visiting you?
7. Were you satisfied with the hospital’s handling of your personal belongings during your stay?
8. How likely are you to return to this hospital if needed in the future?
9. Did the hospital staff show empathy and compassion during your stay?
10. How well did the hospital communicate your health status and treatment plan to your family or caregivers?

Read: 50+ Patient Satisfaction Survey Questions to Ask

#H. HCAHPS Care Transition Questions

Care transition is all about how smoothly patients move from the hospital to their next phase of care—whether that’s at home, another facility, or follow-up. These questions focus on how well the hospital prepares patients for what comes next.

1. Did hospital staff provide you with resources for questions or concerns after discharge?
2. How well did the hospital coordinate with your primary care provider or specialist for your post-discharge care?
3. Did the hospital staff explain what medications you would need to take after discharge?
4. Were you informed about follow-up appointments with your primary care provider or specialist?
5. Did the hospital staff clearly explain any restrictions or activities you should avoid after discharge?
6. How well did the hospital staff prepare you to manage your health condition at home?
7. Were you given clear written discharge instructions to take home?
8. Did hospital staff ensure that any home care services (like visiting nurses or physical therapy) were arranged before your discharge?
9. Did the hospital make sure that you had all the necessary medical equipment ready for your discharge?
10. Did the hospital ensure you understood what to do if your symptoms worsened after discharge?

Why You Need HIPAA Compliance in HCAHPS Surveys

HIPAA compliance ensures that healthcare providers follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This is a U.S. law designed to protect the privacy and security of patient health information. 

This is especially important for HCAHPS surveys, which gather sensitive patient feedback. Let’s see why: 

• Protects Patient Privacy: HIPAA guarantees that personal health information shared in surveys stays confidential.
• Builds Trust: Patients are more likely to provide honest, valuable feedback when they know their information is secure.
• Legal Requirement: Hospitals must obey HIPAA regulations to avoid legal issues or penalties related to data breaches.
• Ensures Safe Handling of Responses: HIPAA ensures that survey data is securely collected, stored, and managed.
• Improves Healthcare Quality: When patients feel confident that their privacy is respected, they’re more likely to provide detailed feedback. This helps hospitals find areas for improvement and enhance the quality of their care.

For a HIPAA-compliant survey tool, look no further than SurveySparrow. With SurveySparrow, creating and sharing HCAHPS surveys becomes super-simple. 

How to Create HCAHPS Surveys with SurveySparrow

1. Create a free account. It's super-simple!

2. Browse the template library. Choose the HCAHPS Survey Template, or start a custom survey to fit your needs.

3. Add or remove questions based on your hospital’s specific requirements. Keep the core HCAHPS questions.

PS: Signing the Business Associate Agreement with SurveySparrow is mandatory to enable a HIPAA-compliant account

4. Brand your survey by adding your hospital’s logo, colors, and design elements.

5. Use SurveySparrow’s logic feature to tailor the survey based on patient responses, making it more engaging.

6. Test the survey for functionality and mobile responsiveness to ensure a smooth experience.

7. Share the survey with patients via email, SMS, or a direct link.

8. Review patient feedback with SurveySparrow’s built-in analytics tools to track trends and identify areas of improvement.

Read: How a diagnostic imaging provider achieved a 4x increase in patient feedback rates with SurveySparrow.

Wrapping Up

HCAHPS survey questions are a crucial step toward improving patient care and satisfaction in hospitals. As per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), over 4,000 hospitals and three million patients participate in the HCAHPS survey—that's huge!

By using SurveySparrow, you can easily design and distribute HIPAA-compliant surveys that gather valuable feedback from patients. 

Ready to improve your hospital’s care and performance? Get in touch.