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

To help you make the best choices, use our Worksheet for Choosing a Hospital.

Additional Information & Links

Hospital Select
An on-line hospital locator that has basic information on all U.S. hospitals: size, capabilities, accreditation.

A Patient's Bill of Rights
Available from the American Hospital Association.
Telephone: 312-422-3000.
Also available from Fax on Demand, at 312-422-2020; document number 471124.

All Hospitals Are Not Created Equal
Information and questions to ask to help you choose the hospital that best suits your needs. Part of a series published by Health Pages.

Choosing a Hospital and Hospital Quality Checklist
Information provided by the Pacific Business Group on Health.

Healthfinder
Provides a gateway to reliable consumer health information from the U.S. Government and other organizations.