Jun 30
2025
These Hospitals Are Failing on Safety: The States Not Meeting Hospital Safety Standards
New research has revealed thestates with the safest and least safest hospitals.
Personal injury attorneys at Phillips Law Firm have analyzed the safety grades given to hospitals around the country in the fall of 2024 to determine where the safest medical care is given, based on the percentage of “A” graded hospitals in the area, which is the highest possible rating referring to hospital safety.
In first place with the safest hospitals in the US is Utah. 60.70% of the hospitals in the state have received an “A” grade for safety.
Virginia ranks second, where 50.70% of hospitals have been given an “A” grade and are safe for patients seeking care.
50% of hospitals in Connecticut have been given an “A” grade for safety, placing the state third in the ranking.
North Carolina is in fourth place, where 46.70% of hospitals have received an “A” grade and are safe for patients in the area.
In New Jersey, 46.30% of hospitals have been given an “A” grade, placing the state fifth.
The states with the safest hospitals
| Rank | State | Percentage of Grade A Hospitals |
| 1 | Utah | 60.70% |
| 2 | Virginia | 57.70% |
| 3 | Connecticut | 50.00% |
| 4 | North Carolina | 46.70% |
| 5 | New Jersey | 46.30% |
| 6 | California | 44.90% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 44.40% |
| 8 | Idaho | 42.90% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 41.20% |
| 10 | Colorado | 40.40% |
| 10 | South Carolina | 40.40% |
However, not all hospitals in the US are as safe.
Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont are tied as the states with the least safe hospitals; 0% of hospitals in all four states have an “A” grade for safety.
West Virginia places second with 4.50% of its hospitals holding an “A” grade for safety.
New Mexico is next in third place, with 5.60% of hospitals in the state having an “A” grade.
Only 6.70% of hospitals in Alabama have an “A” grade, making it the fourth least safe state for hospital treatment.
The fifth least safe state for hospitals is Hawaii, where 8.30% of hospitals have been given an “A” grade.
The states with the least safe hospitals
| Rank | State | Percentage of Grade A Hospitals |
| 1 | Iowa | 0.00% |
| 1 | North Dakota | 0.00% |
| 1 | South Dakota | 0.00% |
| 1 | Vermont | 0.00% |
| 2 | West Virginia | 4.50% |
| 3 | New Mexico | 5.60% |
| 4 | Alabama | 6.70% |
| 5 | Hawaii | 8.30% |
| 6 | Wyoming | 11.10% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 11.40% |
| 8 | Oregon | 15.20% |
| 9 | Mississippi | 16.20% |
| 10 | Arkansas | 20.00% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 20.00% |
| 10 | Missouri | 20.30% |
Phillips Law Firm noted:
“It’s very unsettling to see how few of the 50 states have hospitals with an “A” grade for safety. Receiving adequate healthcare is crucial, especially since, for many, it can range from moderately costly to financially crippling.
“However, it is useful to know where hospitals in your area rank, and it is crucial that you receive the healthcare you need and deserve. The study highlights which states could benefit from more funding to ease pressure on medical staff and to improve care for patients.”
