A recent study by a firm called Masumi analysed all U.S. states across key healthcare metrics to identify the states that are most prepared for medical emergencies. In order to evaluate healthcare systems, the research compared states by hospital availability, medical workforce, and emergency response efficiency. The data from the American Hospital Directory KFF was used to calculate a final preparedness score, ranking states for emergency readiness.
This established that South Dakota leads the list of the U.S. states most prepared for medical emergencies, with the shortest ER waiting time and most hospitals for the state’s population.
The findings showed:
| State | Hospitals Per 100K | Hospital Beds Per 100K | Doctors Per 100K | Nurses Per 100K | Composite Score |
| Idaho | 0.9 | 131.7 | 186.3 | 817.9 | 100.0 |
| Washington | 0.7 | 131.4 | 301.3 | 812.0 | 97.9 |
| Utah | 1.0 | 135.4 | 241.6 | 794.6 | 95.4 |
| Arizona | 1.1 | 180.0 | 259.5 | 859.2 | 89.5 |
| Nevada | 1.0 | 183.5 | 200.8 | 831.8 | 87.5 |
| Maryland | 0.8 | 162.4 | 435.5 | 1,014.0 | 83.5 |
| Colorado | 1.0 | 144.9 | 282.9 | 827.5 | 78.6 |
| California | 0.8 | 187.5 | 310.0 | 838.4 | 77.0 |
| Oregon | 0.8 | 149.1 | 313.9 | 1,036.3 | 76.4 |
| Texas | 1.2 | 190.0 | 232.8 | 790.6 | 75.6 |
The U.S. state most prepared for medical emergencies is South Dakota, with a preparedness score of 100, reflecting a sufficient number of hospitals and available medical workforce. The state has the most nurses and most hospitals per 100K residents, with 2.5 hospitals available. South Dakota also has the shortest ER waiting time at 113 minutes on average.
Louisiana ranks second on the list of the states most prepared for medical emergencies, scoring 97.9. There are 299.4 available hospital beds per 100K residents in the state, more than in South Dakota, and the state leads in available doctors, with 302.5 specialists per 100K.
Mississippi holds third place, getting a preparedness score of 95.4. The state leads in available space for new patients, with 304.7 hospital beds per 100K people, the highest number in the ranking. The rate of available doctors and nurses is a little lower than in South Dakota and Louisiana.
West Virginia takes fourth place with a score of 89.5. There are 2 hospitals per 100K residents in the state and 328.6 doctors for the same population. West Virginia follows Mississippi closely when it comes to available hospital space, at 303.2 beds per 100K.
Ohio is fifth in the ranking of the U.S. states most prepared for medical emergencies, with a preparedness score of 87.5. The state has more available doctors than West Virginia or Mississippi, but overall, there are fewer hospitals for patients at 1.2 per 100K.
Massachusetts ranks sixth, scoring 83.5. There is 1 hospital per 100K residents in the state but Massachusetts has the most doctors for its population, amounting to 511.3 per 100K, over 200 more than in South Dakota or Louisiana.
Missouri holds the seventh position, getting a preparedness score of 78.6. There is an extensive medical workforce in the state, with 356.6 doctors and 1,057.5 nurses for every 100K residents. Similar to Ohio, the average ER waiting time in Missouri is 144 minutes.
Kentucky follows closely with eighth place and a score of 77. There are more available medical facilities here than in Missouri or Massachusetts, with 1.6 hospitals per 100K residents, and the state offers enough space for the patients, amounting to 272.4 hospital beds for every 100K.
Pennsylvania is ninth, earning a score of 76.4. The state has one of the biggest medical workforces in the top 10, providing 1,126 nurses and 412 doctors for every 100K residents. Pennsylvania also has the most hospitals overall in the top 10, with 178.
Kansas closes the ranking of the U.S. states most prepared for medical emergencies, getting tenth place and a score of 75.6. Compared to other states, Kansas has a short ER waiting time of 117 minutes and enough medical facilities, with 1.9 hospitals per 100K residents.
