Private equity ownership in rural hospitals correlates with increased surgical risks that could impact patient care.

• 30-day mortality rose by 1.1 percentage points (p=0.04).
• Postoperative complications increased by 2.5 percentage points (p=0.03).
• Serious complications up by 1.5 percentage points (p=0.02).

Surgeons should consider these findings when selecting facilities for patients, as the quality of surgical care may decline after such acquisitions.