Free HCAHPS Survey
What Are the 29 HCAHPS Questions? 50+ Sample Survey Questions
Ever wondered what are the 29 HCAHPS questions - and how a complete HCAHPS survey questions list can transform your patient experience scores? The HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey is the industry-standard, 29-question tool that measures communication, cleanliness and overall care to pinpoint improvement areas that really matter. Grab our free template loaded with example questions - or build a custom survey in minutes with our online form builder.
Trusted by 5000+ Brands

Top Secrets for Designing an Unbeatable HCAHPS Survey
The HCAHPS survey matters more than ever. It's the standard way patients share their hospital experience. Public reporting, value-based purchasing, and quality improvement all hinge on clear, unbiased feedback. When you master this tool, you drive both patient trust and better clinical outcomes.
Start by studying the CAHPS Survey Design and Administration guidance from AHRQ. It lays out sampling, timing, and analysis steps in bite-size terms. If you ever wonder what are the 29 hcahps questions, focus on core dimensions like communication, responsiveness, pain management, medication explanation, and discharge information. And don't skip the basics on the HCAHPS: Patients' Perspectives of Care Survey page for structure and scoring rules.
Imagine a mid-sized community hospital rolling out a pilot. They ask two simple prompts: "How well did the hospital staff listen to you?" and "What do you value most about your inpatient care?" In one week, they collect actionable comments on noise levels and care coordination. Later, they roll out the full program and compare results to state benchmarks.
Keep questions concise, survey within 48 hours of discharge, and mix mail, phone, and digital modes. Use an intuitive intro - maybe even a quick poll - to boost engagement. By embedding these secrets, you'll craft a survey that patients complete and leaders trust.
5 Must-Know Tips to Avoid Common HCAHPS Survey Mistakes
Mistakes in your HCAHPS survey can skew data and waste resources. Sometimes teams rush to deploy without a clear protocol. Other times they pack in too many questions or ignore digital options. Each misstep costs you real patient insights and can lower your scores.
1. Skip the shortcuts on design. Ignoring standardized methods undermines comparability. Review the Modernizing the HCAHPS Survey report for smarter question modes. 2. Forget paper-only outreach. Today's patients expect multi-channel touchpoints - mail, email, SMS, even apps. 3. Overload your questionnaire. Ask just one clear prompt like "How clear were the discharge instructions?" and skip anything extra.
4. Dismiss pilot testing. Without it, you'll miss typos and confusing language that drive people away. 5. Neglect follow-up. Poor response rate? Trigger a gentle reminder two days later. A concise test run at the unit level often boosts completion by 20% in studies like The Next Generation Of Measuring Patient Experience.
Real world: a regional clinic hit 35% response. They trimmed questions, added text reminders, and relaunched a week later. Their rate jumped to 60% - and rank improved in public reporting. For a deeper dive, check out our Patient Satisfaction Survey tips to refine your rollout.
Core HCAHPS Questions
These foundational questions focus on the official measures outlined in the CAHPS Survey guidelines. They help hospitals benchmark performance and comply with CMS reporting. Use them to establish a reliable baseline for patient experience.
-
How often did nurses treat you with courtesy and respect?
This question assesses patient perception of nurse-patient interactions, a key metric in the HCAHPS framework to evaluate staff courtesy.
-
How often did doctors treat you with courtesy and respect?
Capturing doctor-patient rapport ensures medical providers maintain professional and empathetic communication throughout care.
-
During this hospital stay, how often was your pain well controlled?
Pain management is critical to patient comfort and recovery; this item measures effectiveness and responsiveness.
-
How often did hospital staff explain things in a way you could understand?
Clarity of information impacts adherence and satisfaction, making comprehension a vital component of quality care.
-
How often did you get help as soon as you wanted it after you pressed the call button?
Timely responsiveness to patient requests directly influences feelings of safety and trust in the facility.
-
How clean was your hospital room and bathroom?
Facility cleanliness is a visible measure of quality control and patient comfort standards.
-
How quiet was the area around your room at night?
Noise levels affect rest and recovery; measuring nighttime quiet helps improve environmental protocols.
-
During this hospital stay, did you receive information in writing about what to do during your recovery at home?
Written discharge instructions are essential for continuity of care and preventing readmissions.
-
Did you talk with someone from the hospital about whether you would have the help you needed when you left?
Coordination of post-discharge support is crucial to maintain treatment plans and reduce complications.
-
Would you recommend this hospital to your friends and family?
This overall recommendation question serves as a summary indicator of patient loyalty and satisfaction.
Hospital Environment Questions
Understanding the physical environment helps improve comfort and safety in the patient journey. These questions guide assessments of noise, cleanliness, and overall ambiance within the wards. Insights here tie directly into broader Healthcare Satisfaction Survey efforts.
-
How would you rate the overall cleanliness of the hospital?
General cleanliness reflects daily housekeeping protocols and impacts patient trust in facility hygiene.
-
How often were hospital floors free of clutter?
Clear walkways reduce fall risks and reflect efficient maintenance routines.
-
How satisfied were you with the temperature in your room?
Comfortable room temperature is key to rest and recovery, affecting patient well-being.
-
How quiet was the area around your room during the day?
Daytime noise levels can disrupt treatments and impact patient satisfaction with the stay.
-
How often did you notice housekeeping staff cleaning common areas?
Visibility of cleaning efforts reassures patients of ongoing infection control practices.
-
Were hand sanitizer dispensers easily accessible?
Hand hygiene resources are critical in preventing hospital-acquired infections.
-
How well-lit did you find the corridors and patient areas?
Adequate lighting supports patient safety, navigation, and mood enhancement.
-
How comfortable was the seating in waiting lounges?
Family and visitor comfort contributes to overall patient and caregiver satisfaction.
-
How would you rate the quality of hospital-provided meals?
Nutrition and meal satisfaction play a role in recovery and patient perception of care.
-
How satisfied were you with the availability of parking facilities?
Ease of access and parking convenience can influence the total patient experience.
Staff Communication Questions
Effective communication between staff and patients underpins positive outcomes and satisfaction. These questions explore clarity, empathy, and responsiveness of your care team. Integrate findings with your Patient Feedback Survey to strengthen training programs.
-
How often did nurses explain things in a way that was easy to understand?
Assessing nurse communication skills ensures patients grasp treatment plans and medication instructions.
-
How often did doctors listen carefully to you?
Active listening by doctors fosters trust and encourages patients to share important health concerns.
-
How often did staff discuss your medications including side effects?
Medication counseling is key to preventing adverse events and ensuring proper medication use.
-
How often did staff introduce themselves by name and role?
Personal introductions build rapport and help patients know who is involved in their care.
-
How satisfied were you with the explanations of your test results?
Clear results communication reduces anxiety and empowers patients to participate in care decisions.
-
How often were your questions answered fully and honestly?
Complete and transparent responses are foundational for patient safety and satisfaction.
-
How often did staff check if you needed anything else after giving medication?
Follow-up after medication administration confirms patient comfort and addresses side effects promptly.
-
How would you rate the empathy shown by support staff?
Empathy from aides and technicians significantly influences overall patient experience.
-
How comfortable did you feel asking questions about your care?
Patient comfort inquiring indicates an environment that supports open dialogue and shared decision-making.
-
Did you feel your cultural or personal preferences were respected by staff?
Cultural sensitivity promotes inclusiveness and tailors care to individual patient needs.
Discharge and Aftercare Questions
These questions evaluate the clarity and completeness of discharge planning and follow-up support. They ensure patients leave with confidence in their home care routines and resources. Use them to refine your Healthcare Provider Feedback Survey and reduce readmission rates.
-
Did you receive written discharge instructions?
Written instructions serve as a vital reference for patients once they leave the hospital.
-
How clearly were your home care tasks explained?
Clear explanations of wound care, medication schedules, and therapies support patient adherence.
-
Were you given emergency contact information for post-discharge questions?
Accessible support channels can prevent complications and unnecessary ER visits.
-
How confident were you in managing your medications after leaving?
Assessing confidence highlights gaps in medication education and helps target additional support.
-
Did staff review your follow-up appointments with you?
Scheduling and reinforcing follow-up care reduces the risk of missed visits and poor outcomes.
-
How satisfied were you with community resource referrals (e.g., home health, therapy)?
Referrals to external services foster a comprehensive support network for recovery.
-
How often did you receive follow-up calls after discharge?
Post-discharge outreach can catch early warning signs and reassure patients of continuing care.
-
Do you understand who to contact if your symptoms worsen?
Clarity on escalation protocols is critical for patient safety after discharge.
-
How well did staff include your family or caregiver in the discharge process?
Involving caregivers enhances adherence and reduces patient anxiety in home settings.
-
Overall, how prepared did you feel to manage your health at home?
This summary question gauges the effectiveness of the entire discharge planning process.
Overall Patient Satisfaction Questions
These holistic questions capture patients' final impressions of their stay, focusing on recommendation and overall ratings. They reveal trends in satisfaction and highlight areas for broad quality improvements. Combine them with your Patient Satisfaction Survey for a comprehensive overview.
-
What number would you use to rate this hospital on a scale from 0 (worst) to 10 (best)?
Numeric ratings provide a quantifiable measure of overall experience and allow for trend analysis.
-
Would you recommend this hospital to friends and family?
Recommendation intent reflects strong loyalty and satisfaction beyond immediate care details.
-
How would you rate the care you received from all staff?
An aggregate staff-care rating helps identify general sentiment rather than isolated feedback.
-
Were your overall expectations met during this visit?
Expectation alignment measures how well the hospital fulfills promises made before arrival.
-
How likely are you to return to this hospital if you need care?
Return intent gauges long-term patient loyalty and confidence in the facility's services.
-
How satisfied were you with the responsiveness of hospital leadership to patient concerns?
Perceived leadership accountability influences patient trust and organizational reputation.
-
How well did this hospital meet your emotional and psychological needs?
Emotional support is a crucial but often overlooked component of holistic patient care.
-
Overall, how safe did you feel during your stay?
Perceived safety impacts patient comfort and willingness to share concerns.
-
How easy was it to navigate the hospital campus?
Wayfinding and signage contribute to patient independence and lower anxiety levels.
-
How well did this hospital honor your privacy and confidentiality?
Respecting privacy builds trust and is fundamental to ethical healthcare delivery.