Patients may not always be able to choose the hospital they go to -- for example, in the event of an emergency, there may not be time for much planning or selection. Hospital choice is further limited by the question of which hospitals are accepted by your insurance, PPO or HMO plan.
Although there are these limiting factors, many organizations have recently stepped forward to encourage patients to take more control of their healthcare by choosing among available hospitals.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is one such organization, and has prepared information to assist patients in selecting the hospital that will best meet their needs. A link below connects to this information.
U.S. News & World Report has also issued information and rankings for American hospitals.
Many hospitals provide services for their patients beyond strictly medical ones. Many hospitals employ social workers, who can help connect patients and their families to emotional, social, clinical, physical, and financial support services.
Practically all hospitals, whether religiously affiliated or not, also employ chaplains of various faiths who can provide support and encouragement to patients and their families in the midst of health problems.
Your family doctor may have connections with a certain hospital; her office or group may even be part of a certain hospital's system or network. Contact your physician's office to find out whether this is the case.