What’s the most dangerous state for undergoing surgery?
Do you need surgery soon? Find out which states are the most dangerous for going under the knife, and why.
Personal injury experts Burger Law analyzed US states based on key factors to identify the most dangerous states for surgery.
Drawing on data from governmental sources such as CMS Provider Data and the National Practitioner Data Bank, the study examined surgical complications and deaths from 2019 to 2022, the number of surgeons per 100,000 population, access to healthcare, quality of hospital care, adverse action reports, and medical malpractice payments.
Each factor was normalized per 100,000 population for an accurate comparison, and a composite score was calculated to provide a clear assessment of surgical risks across the states.
The 10 most dangerous states for undergoing surgery
So which are the most dangerous states for undergoing surgery, according to their research? Here are the top 10:
Let’s now look at them state by state, and find out why they made the list.
1) California
California ranks first as the most dangerous state to get surgery. California’s healthcare system is severely impacted by the highest number of adverse action reports, totaling 4,354. The state also struggles with high rates of surgical complications and 21 in 100,000 people die or have surgical complications, which highlights the severe systemic issues of California.
2) Florida
Florida is the second state where one should think twice before getting surgery. The state faces the highest rate of surgical complications and deaths, at 22 per 100,000 population. The state’s high adverse action reports, totaling 2,712, and medical malpractice payments also contribute significantly to its ranking, indicating pervasive issues in healthcare delivery and patient safety.
3) Texas
Texas comes third on the list. The state has the highest number of adverse action reports, totaling 4,648, coupled with substantial medical malpractice payments. Despite good access to healthcare at 85.6%, these adverse factors significantly impact its safety for surgeries.
4) Arkansas
Arkansas is the fourth dangerous state for surgeries. It shows significant challenges with high surgical complications and deaths, totaling 14 per 100,000 population, and a low quality of hospital care score of 44.85. The state’s adverse action reports total 604, and medical malpractice payments further impact its bad reputation.
5) colorado
Colorado ranks fifth on the list of worst states to get surgery. This state is characterized by a high number of adverse action reports, totaling 1,777, and medical malpractice payments at 150. Relatively good access to healthcare at 71.86 per 100,000 population is overshadowed by the quality of hospital care, which is the lowest with a score of 16.59, significantly impacting its safety for surgeries.
6) Georgia
Georgia is the sixth high-risk state for surgeries. Its high medical malpractice payments, totaling 412, and adverse action reports, totaling 889, reflect systemic healthcare challenges. Although the state has good access to healthcare at 80.87%, these issues elevate its risk for surgical patients.
7) New York
New York is the seventh state where one should think twice before getting surgery. The state has significant challenges with high medical malpractice payments, totaling 1,459, which is the highest among all the states. New York’s high number of adverse action reports, totaling 961, and moderate access to healthcare at 36.48% further impact its position.
8) North Carolina
North Carolina ranks eighth on the list. It faces high rates of surgical complications and deaths at 20 per 100,000 population, which is the third highest only after Florida and California. High adverse action reports, totaling 1,115, further increase the risk.
9) Illinois
Illinois is the ninth most dangerous state for getting surgeries. It has high adverse action reports, totaling 1,687, and significant medical malpractice payments. The state’s quality of hospital care and access to healthcare, both moderate, contribute to its high-risk status.
10) Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks tenth. Pennsylvania has high adverse action reports, totaling 953, and significant medical malpractice payments. These factors, combined with moderate access to healthcare at 22.45%, place it among the most dangerous states for surgery.
These results highlight critical issues in patient safety and healthcare quality
The findings from this study are eye-opening for anyone considering surgery in these states. According to Burger Law, California’s staggering number of adverse action reports and Florida’s highest rate of surgical complications highlight critical issues in patient safety and healthcare quality.
Burger Law also note that it’s particularly concerning to see New York’s exceptionally high medical malpractice payments, which suggest systemic problems that need urgent attention. Patients deserve better, and it’s crucial for policymakers to address these glaring deficiencies to ensure safer surgical outcomes.
