Choosing the right hospital for your healthcare needs is never an easy decision. While some patients’ choices may be limited by financial resources, insurance plans and geographical area, most people who need specialty treatment or hospitalization are naturally attracted to hospitals which have earned a reputation for providing top quality healthcare services. Whether you need a heart transplant or a simple outpatient procedure, you are entrusting the healthcare service provider with your life. It is only natural that you place it in the hands of someone who will handle it with the most care. And while physicians’ skills and professionalism weigh heavily on your decision, there are a few other factors you should consider when choosing a treatment center.
Clinical Excellence in Healthcare
Quality healthcare services start with capable healthcare providers. When choosing a healthcare facility, patients often start by reading reviews and assessing the skills of the individual physicians who represent the institution. However, one surgeon’s track record might not tell the whole story. Therefore, when assessing the overall quality of a healthcare center, it is important to consider several statistical figures such as mortality rates, post-operatory complication and readmission rates, volume of surgical procedures performed, as well as procedure diversity and level of difficulty.
Every year, U.S. News & World Report evaluates close to five thousand hospitals in the United States and ranks the best of them in various specialties, from cancer and heart surgery, to endocrinology and urology. The report is compiled by taking into account data such as death rates, patient safety and physician reputation. However, clinical excellence is not easy to define. Statistics can often be skewed or hard to interpret. For instance, a low mortality rate may sometimes result from a hospital’s refusal to handle difficult or unusual cases. A healthcare center which promotes innovation and is willing to perform risky procedures might have a higher death rate than a hospital which plays it safe. However, that is not necessarily an indicator that the former ranks lower in clinical excellence. Patient age and general health condition are also key factors that influence statistics.
For patients contemplating a surgical procedure, the safest choice is a hospital whose specialist surgeons perform a high volume of similar procedures every year. According to a 2006 meta-analysis conducted by Dr. Peter J. Holt, vascular surgeon at St. George’s Hospital in London, UK, “hospitals performing 43 or more surgeries per year had a 34 percent lower death rate than hospitals performing less than 43 surgeries per year.” Teaching hospitals are most likely to have medical faculty specialized in complex surgical procedures.
Hospital Maintenance
When choosing a hospital, patients may be mostly concerned with physician skills, but the physical appearance of a healthcare center can also influence their decision. The best hospitals are usually neat and well-maintained. Healthcare centers which feature clean waiting areas and restrooms are more likely to have hygienic, well-endowed operatory rooms and patient rooms. Moreover, a clean hospital with well-kept carpeting, walls and furniture sends an encouraging message to prospective patients and their families, letting them know that the facility is well managed.
Healthcare Staff Attitude
Patients look for more than knowledge and skill in a healthcare professional. In a competitive market where patients can choose between so many hospitals, attitude is as important as service. A personable, courteous medical staff can easily gain patients’ confidence and loyalty, while projecting a positive image of the institution. Most people will choose a hospital where the staff is not only knowledgeable, but also attentive to their needs, flexible and easy to approach. Quality hospitals offer healthcare that is both professional and compassionate.
Hospital Management
As with any business, management greatly influences the efficiency and the quality of the services provided by a hospital. Management decisions determine how much a hospital invests in research and medical supplies. They also determine the quality and level of training of the medical staff. A well-administered hospital is usually a well-maintained facility which is able to create a safe, clean environment for patients. Good administration also ensures that patients receive timely, adequate treatment and benefit from stress-free billing and insurance procedures, while allowing medical staff to do what they do best – care for their patients.
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Iulia Filip - Born and raised in Romania, Iulia Filip currently resides in South Carolina, USA. She has graduated from the MFA Program in Creative ...
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