A new study conducted by Phillips Law Firm has uncovered which U.S. states have the safest hospitals, analyzing hospital safety grades awarded across the country in Fall 2024. The analysis ranks each state by the percentage of hospitals awarded an “A” grade — the highest possible — indicating outstanding performance on patient safety metrics like infection prevention, surgical practices, and responsiveness to medical errors.
Utah Tops the List for Hospital Safety
Utah ranks first in the nation, with 60.70% of its hospitals receiving an “A” grade. These facilities meet or exceed national benchmarks for preventing medical errors, protecting patients from injury, and ensuring proper procedures and safety checks are consistently followed.
Closely behind are Virginia, with 57.70% of hospitals graded “A,” and Connecticut, where 50% of hospitals earned the top mark. These states stand out for offering high-quality and consistent care to patients seeking treatment in their medical facilities.
10 Safest States for Hospital Care
- Utah – 60.70%
- Virginia – 57.70%
- Connecticut – 50.00%
- North Carolina – 46.70%
- New Jersey – 46.30%
- California – 44.90%
- Rhode Island – 44.40%
- Idaho – 42.90%
- Pennsylvania – 41.20%
- Colorado and South Carolina (tie) – 40.40%
These percentages reflect the share of hospitals in each state that earned an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization that evaluates hospital safety and performance.
Least Safe States Lag Behind
Conversely, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont rank at the bottom — 0% of hospitals in these four states earned an “A” grade in Fall 2024.
Other low-performing states include:
- West Virginia – 4.50%
- New Mexico – 5.60%
- Alabama – 6.70%
- Hawaii – 8.30%
- Wyoming – 11.10%
These figures raise concerns about hospital safety and the urgent need for reforms or additional support in states where healthcare systems may be under-resourced or overstretched.
What Do Hospital Safety Grades Measure?
Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grades are based on more than 30 national performance measures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, and other publicly available data sources. Metrics include:
- Preventable hospital-acquired infections
- Surgical safety practices
- Staff responsiveness
- Medication error prevention
- Communication about medicines and discharge
Hospitals are then assigned a letter grade — A, B, C, D, or F — with “A” representing the highest standard in patient safety.
Expert Commentary from Phillips Law Firm
A spokesperson for Phillips Law Firm commented:
“It’s alarming to see that so few states have a high percentage of hospitals earning an ‘A’ grade. With medical care often being expensive and emotionally taxing, patients deserve to know they are being treated in a facility that prioritizes safety and accountability.
This data gives families and individuals useful insight into where they may receive better care — and shines a light on states that need urgent intervention and funding.”
How Patients Can Use This Information
If you’re planning surgery or have chronic health needs, checking local hospital safety rankings can help guide decisions about where to seek care. While individual hospitals may differ within each state, this state-level snapshot provides a broader view of how healthcare systems compare when it comes to safeguarding patient lives.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Hospital safety grades are based on publicly available data and reflect the performance of hospitals on certain safety measures. For personalized healthcare decisions, individuals should consult with their healthcare providers and consider additional factors beyond safety grades. Results may vary by individual hospitals within each state.
