Strong infection-prevention results
Review reported bloodstream, urinary tract, surgical-site, MRSA, and C. difficile infections.
Before you compare hospitals
10 patient safety signals to look for
Use these signals as a practical lens while reviewing public reports and speaking with hospitals. Look for patterns across several sources and focus on the care you need.
Low rates of preventable complications
Look for information about falls, pressure injuries, blood clots, surgical complications, and other patient harm.
Clear communication
Check patient survey results for nurse and physician communication, medication explanations, and staff responsiveness.
Safe discharge and follow-up
Look for practices that help patients understand medications, warning signs, appointments, and whom to call after discharge.
Experience with the care you need
Ask how often the hospital and clinician provide the treatment and what outcomes they track.
Specialists and services when needed
Ask about nights and weekends, intensive care, anesthesia, imaging, laboratory services, and specialty backup.
Systems that prevent medication errors
Ask how the hospital verifies medications, allergies, doses, and changes during admission, transfers, and discharge.
Accreditation and specialty certification
Confirm that a recognition applies to the exact hospital location and service being considered.
Transparent answers about current results
Compare results on the original public reporting sites with information on the hospital’s website, advertising, or social media. If they differ—or the hospital promotes an older, more favorable CMS star rating or Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade—ask which result is current, why it changed, and what the hospital is doing to improve.
A clear way to raise safety concerns
Ask whom patients and families should contact, how concerns are escalated, and whether they can request a rapid clinical review.