Checking out Your Hospital

Take initiative to research the hospital your doctor recommends. Dr. Holly Atkinson shares 5 key questions you should ask when going in for a critical procedure:

1) Does the hospital see a lot of patients like me? Look for a high volume of patients like you.

2) If you need an operation, ask the surgeon: How many of these procedures do you do a year? Look for a doctor with experience performing the specific treatment or procedure you need.

3) What’s the hospital’s death rate for patients like me? Ask the surgeon specifically: How many patients have you lost?

4) What complications might I expect?

5) Finally, if you’re undergoing a critical procedure, find out if the hospital has an intensivist on staff. An intensivist is a doctor who specializes in the care of critically ill patients, usually in an intensive care unit. If you’re having heart surgery, ask if the hospital has a dedicated cardiac care unit.

Be patient and polite, but assertive. If a hospital or surgeon refuses to give you information, consider going elsewhere. You have every right to ask questions and get satisfactory answers.

Extra! Extra!

Don't miss this important information that you won't find in our main video series--it takes less than a minute:

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