Quality can be measured in many different ways. While there is no universal agreement about 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 these questions:

Is the hospital accredited by the Joint Commission?
The Joint Commission is an independent, nonprofit organization that evaluates and accredits nearly 18,000 healthcare 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.

Does the hospital review and continuously improve its own 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 how comfortable patients find the hospital in terms of cleanliness and the quality of food served. 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 that 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.