What programs does the hospital have in place to reduce errors and improve patient safety?
The Leapfrog Group, a coalition of more than 140 public and private organizations that provide healthcare benefits, recommends that hospitals computerize physician orders to reduce medication errors. Other recommendations include incorporating a pharmacist into daily rounds. Adequate infection control staff is also important. Ask whether the hospital has one or more full-time infection control specialists coordinating infection-reduction programs, and ask about the hospital’s initiatives to reduce medical errors. Is there a patient representative or ombudsman on staff? If so, ask what services this person can provide during your hospital stay. If not, ask how complaints are handled. What do other patients have to say about their treatment at the hospital? Ask around. You may be surprised how many people you know who have recently visited a local hospital and have something to say about the experience. Ask them what they liked, and what they noticed about their hospital care. The federa
