These Are the States with the Best and Worst Hospitals for Patient Safety

Hospital safety is a critical concern for patients and healthcare providers alike. But how exactly is hospital safety determined, let alone graded? The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization, evaluates hospitals across the United States, assigning letter grades based on their performance in preventing medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections.

These grades, updated biannually, provide valuable insights into the quality of care patients can expect. In Spring 2025, the Leapfrog Group released its latest Hospital Safety Grades, offering a comprehensive overview of hospital performance nationwide.

Today, 247 Tempo delves into the key findings, highlighting top-performing states, areas needing improvement, and notable trends in hospital safety. Understanding these grades empowers patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare and encourages hospitals to prioritize patient safety. Let's begin with the latest statistics.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to general hospitals in the U.S., reflecting their ability to protect patients from harm. Grades are based on up to 30 national performance measures, including data from CMS, the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, and other sources.

The grading system focuses exclusively on patient safety, evaluating infection rates, surgical errors, and safety protocols. Grades range from 'A' to 'F', providing a clear indicator of a hospital's safety performance.

Utah led the Spring 2025 rankings with 60.7% of its hospitals earning an 'A' grade. It was followed by Rhode Island (55.6%), New Jersey (54.5%), Connecticut (50.0%), and South Carolina (47.1%). These states have consistently demonstrated strong performance in patient safety.

Delaware saw a major improvement, moving from 28.6% to 42.9% 'A' hospitals, rising 18 places in the rankings. Washington D.C. also increased from 20.0% to 40.0%. These gains reflect targeted improvements in hospital safety practices.

Nebraska had only 15.0% of hospitals with an 'A' grade. Alabama (10.5%), South Dakota (10.0%), Minnesota (9.1%), and New Mexico (5.6%) were also among the lowest ranked states, suggesting the need for renewed safety efforts.

Leapfrog recognized 346 hospitals with 'A' grades in at least five consecutive cycles. This 'Straight A' designation showcases consistent safety performance. Eleven hospitals have earned an 'A' in every cycle since the grading program began.

Utah and Connecticut topped the 'Straight A' list with 29%, followed by New Jersey (27%), Rhode Island (22%), and Virginia (20%). These states maintain strong, consistent safety records.

States like Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, North Dakota, and others had no 'Straight A' hospitals over the past two years. This highlights a lack of consistent top-tier safety performance in those regions.

Patients in lower-graded hospitals face significantly greater risks. Studies show a 92% higher risk of preventable harm in 'D' or 'F' hospitals compared to 'A' hospitals, underscoring the importance of these grades.

Christus Southeast Texas – St. Elizabeth and OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center both received repeated 'A' grades, reflecting dedicated safety cultures and continuous improvement in patient outcomes.

Leapfrog's transparent grading encourages hospitals to improve safety practices and fosters a culture of accountability. It empowers patients to make informed choices about where to receive care.

At the end of the day, hospitals across the country need improvement. However, with recent funding cuts and understaffing issues, only time will tell how these vital centers fare. Thank your lucky stars if you happen to live in a state with fantastic healthcare and hospital access!