Quality of Care

Measuring Quality

Not all medical centers and physicians are alike. Differences in quality matter most when you need sophisticated medical care for a complex condition. The doctor and medical center you choose will have a direct impact on your care - especially when you need treatment for a serious condition or disease.

Quality is measured in many different ways. While there is no universal agreement on which method should be used, the links below provide comparative and quality information:

Joint Commission

Hospital Compare

Illinois Foundation for Quality Health Care

Institute for Healthcare Improvement/Protecting 5 Million Lives

The Leapfrog Group

Physician Training

Board certification, or the international equivalent, means that doctors have completed specialized training that a specialty board requires. To earn board certification, physicians must have practiced for a specified period of time and then pass a difficult written and oral examination. Board certification is generally accepted as a good indication of competence and experience. Ask your physician about her or his board certifications. Additionally, some physicians are also board eligible, meaning they have completed necessary education and training and are waiting a required period of time before taking their board exam.

Satisfied Patients

Patient satisfaction often reflects how willing doctors and nurses are to listen, answer questions and explain treatments; how much time doctors spend with patients; and if the medical center is clean and the food is good. Patient satisfaction data can predict how satisfying your experience is likely to be. Patient satisfaction information can be found on our Patient Satisfaction web page.