Website Allows Consumers to Compare Hospitals
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been updating its
Hospital Compare website which provides information for consumers regarding the hospitals in their communities. The website helps consumers make effective decisions when selecting a hospital by offering information about quality of care; data from patients' medical records is converted into a percentage in order to show how well hospitals care for their patients. In addition to quality information, consumers have access to information obtained from patient satisfaction surveys, so they are able to know what actual patients have said about their past experiences. The website also compares the hospitals' 30-day risk-adjusted death rates with the national rate.
The updated information on the Hospital Compare website is, among other things, meant to motivate hospitals to provide better care for Americans. Although hospitals' participation in the website is voluntary, most have agreed to share their records with the Department of Heath and Human Services. Patients should look at and ask their doctors about the numbers before choosing a hospital.
The following hospitals in the Hampton Roads area currently have information available on Hospital Compare:
NorfolkBon Secours- DePaul Medical Center
Sentara Leigh Hospital
Sentara Norfolk General
Virginia BeachSentara Bayside
Sentara Virginia Beach General
PortsmouthBon Secours- Maryview Medical Center
ChesapeakeChesapeake General Hospital
HamptonSentara Careplex Hospital
Newport NewsMary Immaculate Hospital
Riverside Regional Medical Center
GloucesterRiverside Walter Reed Hospital
WilliamsburgEastern State Hospital
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
FranklinSouthampton Memorial Hospital
SuffolkSentara Obici Hospital
Eastern ShoreShore Memorial Hospital
RichmondBon Secours- Richmond Community Hospital
Bon Secours- St Mary's Hospital of Richmond
CJW Medical Center
Henrico Doctors' Hospital
Retreat Hospital
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
PetersburgHiram W Davis Medical Center
Southside Regional Medical Center