As medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S., knowing which hospitals are safer is a really good idea.
Most patients assume hospitals are safe and
closely monitored. But investigations by regulators have repeatedly shown that fatal medical errors, inadequate staffing, preventable deaths, and breakdowns in patient safety systems occur even at large, renowned hospitals.
In advance of a planned surgery, hospitalization,
or transfer of care, patients and loved ones can
take important steps to investigate a hospital’s
safety record. Reviewing ratings, inspection reports, and disciplinary findings can help patients decide whether or not they should go to a certain hospital.
In general, it’s prudent to know which local ER
is the safest. If you or a loved one has a chronic
condition, you are more likely to call 911 at some
point.
Across the United States, it is standard EMS practice to honor a competent patient’s choice
of ER whenever medically appropriate, and within
a mileage range designated by county regulations.
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