Headed to the Hospital? Go to the Best Say Experts

   If you need to go to the hospital you might want to head to one of the best hospitals in the country-the trip might save your life.

   According to a new study published by Healthgrades, an independent healthcare ratings organization, the quality of treatment between the ‘best’ and the ‘rest’ of hospitals is so significant it may have resulted in more than 150-thousand patient deaths in the U.S. between 2005 and 2007. It’s possible the deaths could have been prevented with better care.

   For the study researchers examined death and complication rates for 26 of the most common Medicare diagnoses and compared the performance of the top 5% of U.S. hospitals, so-called Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence, to performance at all other hospitals. Patients treated at the best hospitals were 27% less likely to die and were 8% less likely to suffer surgical complications.

“This study echoes others that have found distinct quality gaps between top-performing hospitals and others,” Dr. Rick May said.

   The best hospitals also improved more in their quality of care during the three year study period; on average the best hospitals reduced complication rates by nearly 4%, compared to 2.5% at all other hospitals.

   “Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence comprise a group of hospitals that excel across the board, not just in one or two areas,” Dr. May said.

   People can see how their local hospitals are rated by Healthgrades, and find the nearest Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence by visiting www.healthgrades.com and the information is free.

Sean Kenniff, MD

Dr. Sean Kenniff is a neurologist and health journalist in Miami, Florida.

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