Have you ever wondered if all hospitals are the same? It turns out, they aren’t. Hospitals vary on the quality of staff and doctors, the services offered and many other factors.

Because a trip to the hospital can change your life forever, it’s important to choose wisely.

Here are some questions to consider:

1. Is the hospital affiliated with a university medical school?
University affiliated hospitals have medical students to teach and research to conduct. This may mean you are able to see specialists who may not be available at other hospitals.

2. Does the hospital have a religious affiliation?
For example, if you are Catholic, you may prefer a Catholic hospital. With these hospitals the religious affiliation may govern what procedures may or may not be performed at the hospital. In such instances, you may be bound to these rules even if you do not agree with them.

3. Are your doctors allowed to practice at the hospital?
It is helpful to have the doctors you see regularly also see you in the hospital because they already have a more robust understanding of your medical history. Ask your doctors which hospitals they cover and, when possible, choose accordingly.

4. Does the hospital have the specialists you need?
For example, if you are going into the hospital for serious heart issues, it is wise to do a bit of homework to research the heart specialists who practice at the hospitals you are considering.

When possible, consider these questions BEFORE you pick a hospital. Choosing a hospital simply because you like their advertisements OR because it is closest to home may not always be the best plan.

How have you picked the hospital you go to for healthcare? Are there other questions you would add to this list? I’d love to hear from you!

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Learn more about what to do when things don’t go as planned with my ebook Easy Healthcare: Your Hospital Stay. You can get it free right now by subscribing to our blog.