Which PA Hospitals Have High Mortality Rates?

When a loved one is hospitalized, families naturally want reassurance that they’re receiving safe, excellent care. Fortunately, organizations in Pennsylvania track hospital outcomes to help promote transparency and patient safety. One such resource is the Hospital Performance Report published by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4).

Reports like this are not meant to alarm patients; they’re designed to improve care by identifying trends, encouraging accountability, and helping hospitals address areas needing improvement. However, they can raise important questions, especially for families who have experienced complications or loss during a hospital stay.

Below is a view of what the most recent report, released in December 2025, specifically says about certain Pennsylvania hospitals with higher-than-expected mortality findings.

What Does “Higher Mortality” Mean?

Higher mortality rates in a report like this do not automatically indicate negligence or poor care. Hospitals that treat sicker or higher-risk patients may naturally have more complicated outcomes. Statistical variation, patient demographics, and referral patterns can all affect results.

That said, these reports can highlight patterns worth examining, especially when certain conditions show mortality rates statistically significantly higher than expected during a reporting period.

PHC4 does not determine whether individual patient deaths were preventable or the result of medical error.

Which PA Hospitals Noted Higher Mortality Findings?

Based on the PHC4 hospital performance report, two Pennsylvania hospital systems were identified as having risk-adjusted mortality rates that were statistically significantly higher than expected for certain conditions during the reporting period (October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024).

UPMC Pinnacle Hospitals (Central Pennsylvania)

The report identified UPMC Pinnacle Hospitals, operating in central Pennsylvania under a single license covering:

• UPMC Harrisburg
• UPMC West Shore
• UPMC Community Osteopathic

Key findings noted in the report included risk-adjusted mortality rates that were statistically significantly higher than expected for sepsis, infectious pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The report evaluated approximately 1,797 Sepsis cases at that facility during the reporting period.

It’s important to note that UPMC has publicly disputed the interpretation of these data and has cited favorable rankings from other sources, such as CMS ratings and U.S. News hospital evaluations.

UPMC Memorial (York County, Pennsylvania)

The PHC4 report found that UPMC Memorial had specific conditions with risk-adjusted mortality rates statistically significantly higher than expected for sepsis and lung blood clots (pulmonary embolisms).

Again, these outcomes do not automatically suggest wrongdoing. Instead, they indicate areas where outcomes were statistically higher than expected during the reporting period.

Why Do These Findings Matter?

The conditions highlighted in the report, particularly sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and pulmonary embolisms, are serious medical issues that require timely diagnosis and treatment.

Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can progress rapidly. Early recognition and treatment are critical for survival.

Infectious Pneumonia and UTIs

While often treatable, these infections can become dangerous, especially for older adults or those with underlying health issues.

Pulmonary Embolism

Blood clots in the lungs can cause sudden complications and require prompt intervention.

Monitoring the outcomes related to these conditions helps healthcare systems improve hospital protocols, staffing, and response times.

How Can You Use This Information Constructively?

Transparency reports are meant to empower patients, not scare them. These are some practical ways families can use this information to improve the quality of their care: 

• Asking informed questions about treatment plans
• Seeking second opinions when appropriate
• Advocating for clear communication during hospitalization
• Staying aware of symptoms that require urgent attention

Healthcare decisions are complex, and most hospitals strive continuously to improve patient outcomes.

How Might Medical Negligence Cause Higher Mortality Rates?

While many hospital deaths occur despite appropriate care, there are situations where medical negligence may play a role, including:

• Delayed diagnosis or treatment of infections
• Medication or monitoring errors
• Failure to follow established safety procedures
• Communication lapses among care teams

If you’ve experienced a loss and have unanswered questions, reviewing the situation with qualified professionals may offer insight. Seeking answers doesn’t necessarily mean pursuing litigation. Sometimes families simply want understanding, closure, or consolation.

When Should You Seek Legal Advice?

If a loved one passed away during hospitalization, especially due to conditions such as sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or pulmonary embolisms, and you have concerns about whether proper care was provided, it may be worth discussing your situation with an experienced medical malpractice attorney.

A careful review of medical records, timelines, and expert opinions can determine whether complications were unavoidable or whether negligence may have contributed. Understanding your rights can help protect your family’s future while also supporting safer healthcare practices.

At Ross Feller Casey, we have nationally recognized physicians on staff to help review medical records and identify when and how medical negligence occurred. Our team of lawyers and doctors is here to help. We offer free consultations, so you can discuss your situation without financial pressure. And because we handle cases on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Contact Ross Feller Casey today to learn more about your options and whether a medical review may be appropriate.