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Picking the right hospital - Q&A

Is your doctor affiliated with the hospital?

If the doctor who is treating you will be performing the procedure, he is required to have privileges with that hospital. This means the doctor will know the hospital well and provide you with an honest opinion of the hospitals level of care and expertise. Note that most physicians usually have privileges at several hospitals.

Will the hospital meet your specific needs?

If you are facing a surgical procedure, for example, the removal of a herniated disk, you want to make sure the hospital is a strong surgical center, which should include post-operative care and rehabilitation.

What is the experience level of your doctors?

You may want to find out their level of experience, how many times have they performed this procedure, or if they are board certified in their specialty. Board certification usually means the doctor has had extensive training in his area of specialty.

Is the hospital nationally accredited?

Recognized commissions such as JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) set quality standards for major hospitals across the nation. The commission rates hospitals in 28 different performance areas. Ask your doctor if your hospital qualifies or call JCHO directly at 630-792-5000.