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When analyzing hospital quality, it is best to look at several quality
measurements and make your decision based on a number of criteria. The
following are some good quality measurements to include in your evaluation:
Accreditation - The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO) surveys hospitals nationwide and bases their accreditation
on certain health and safety requirements. Although accreditation is voluntary,
most hospitals go through the process. If the hospital you are considering is
not accredited, it is important to know why.
Experience and Outcomes - Almost all hospitals have sufficient experience
in treating common problems, but for specialized medical and surgical care,
the more experience the hospital has with the necessary procedures, the better
the results usually are. Ask how often the procedure that you may need has
been performed and compare. Then, find out what the hospital's mortality and
complication rates are for the procedure you may require. Ask about five-year
survival rates for illnesses such as cancer. Also, ask about the quality of
life that can be expected following treatments.
Customer Satisfaction - Personal and employee references can be
invaluable in helping you select a hospital. Ask physicians and other health
care professionals which hospital they would choose and why. Seek
recommendations from friends and family. If possible, speak with an employee
of the hospital you are considering and ask them what they think. Insider
information is often a good way to ascertain the quality of care you will receive.
Find out if the hospital you are considering uses patient satisfaction surveys as
a means for improving service. Surveys generally show that the hospital values the
patients' opinions.
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