Hospitals and doctors are not all alike. They vary in quality due to differences in their training, experience and services. Differences in quality matter more when you need sophisticated medical care for a complex condition. The doctor and hospital you choose will have a direct impact on how well you do – especially when you need treatment for a serious condition or disease.

How do you Judge Quality?

Quality can be measured in many different ways. While there is no universal agreement on which method should be used, the following are often cited as the best indicators to determine whether or not you receive quality care for your medical condition.

Consider whether or not the hospital:

• Is accredited by the Joint Commission.
• Is rated highly by State or consumer or other groups.
• Has experience with your condition.
• Has had success with your condition
• Is one where your doctor has privileges, if that is important to you.
• Is covered by your health plan.
• Reviews and continuously improves its own quality of care.

Hospital Accreditation

The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits nearly 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. To earn and maintain accreditation, an organization must undergo an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team at least every three years. More information can be obtained by logging onto www.jointcommission.org

Hospital Rating

One important way to learn about hospital quality is to look at hospital report cards developed by States and consumer groups. A recent study about such reports found that besides helping consumers make informed choices, they also encourage hospitals to improve their quality of care. This is a very good reason to look for and use consumer information about hospitals.

Consumer groups publish guides to hospitals and other health care choices in various cities. Find out what kind of information is available where you live by calling your State department of health, health care council, or hospital association. Also, ask your doctor what he or she thinks about the hospital.

Ohio Department of Health and Center for Medicare and Medicaid websites have information about the number of surgeries performed and mortality rates. 

Please visit these links for more details: 
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service:  www.cms.hhs.gov
Ohio Department of Health:  www.odh.ohio.gov

Physician Privileges

Is your physician permitted to admit patients?  If not, you would need to be under the care of another physician.

Health Plan Coverage

Check to make sure that your insurance will cover payment of services provided to you.

Improving Quality of Care

Patient satisfaction often reflects the personal side of care such as how willing doctors and nurses are to listen, answer questions and explain treatments; how much time the doctor spends with the patient; and if the hospital is clean and the food is good. You can use patient satisfaction data to predict what your experience is likely to be.

Although it is impossible to eliminate all risks of death and complications, especially for seriously ill patients, risks can be reduced by choosing a hospital with a lower mortality rate and/or a higher long-term survival or success rate. Risks generally will be higher for patients over age 65 who have other medical conditions such as diabetes, who are having a repeat coronary procedure, or who are undergoing multiple procedures such as bypass surgery with a valve repair. Ask the doctor and the hospital for their mortality rates and try to compare rates for patients most like yourself. If a doctor or hospital is reluctant to give information, look at alternatives.as bypass surgery with a valve repair. Ask the doctor and the hospital for their mortality rates and try to compare rates for patients most like yourself. If a doctor or hospital is reluctant to give information, look at alternatives.