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List of All Topics
Health Facilities
Health facilities are places that provide health care. They include hospitals, clinics, outpatient care centers and specialized care centers, such as birthing centers and psychiatric care centers.
When you choose a health facility, you might want to consider
Quality is important. Some facilities do a better job than others. One way to learn about the quality of a facility is to look at report cards developed by state and consumer groups.
Healthcare facilities include hospitals, clinics, dental offices, out-patient surgery centers, birthing centers and nursing homes. Information on nursing homes and personal care facilities is covered by a separate topic page.
There are numerous health and safety issues associated with healthcare facilities. They include bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards, potential chemical and drug exposures, waste anesthetic gas exposures, respiratory hazards, ergonomic hazards from lifting and repetitive tasks, laser hazards, hazards associated with laboratories, and radioactive material and x-ray hazards. Some of the potential chemical exposures include formaldehyde, used for preservation of specimens for pathology; ethylene oxide, glutaraldehyde, and paracetic acid used for sterilization; and numerous other chemicals used in healthcare laboratories.
In addition to the medical staff, large health care facilities employ a wide variety of trades that have health and safety hazards associated with them. These include mechanical maintenance, medical equipment maintenance, housekeeping, food service, building and grounds maintenance, laundry, and administrative staff.
Helping You Choose The Hospital For You
Selecting quality health care services for yourself, a relative or friend requires special thought and attention. The Joint Commission has prepared this information to assist you in making your selection. Knowing what to look for and what to ask will help you choose a facility that provides quality care and best meets your needs.
You may not always have the opportunity to choose the hospital from which you receive care, especially in an emergency. However, when you or a loved one has a planned admission to the hospital, obtaining some important information first can help make your hospital experience a positive one.
Begin by asking your doctor about the advantages or special characteristics of each hospital where he or she practices. Your doctor can help you select the hospital that is best for you. You should also verify which hospitals are accepted by your insurance, HMO or PPO plan. Then ask the following questions to help you determine which hospital meets your needs.
General questions
- Is the hospital conveniently located? Can you and your family get there easily for scheduled as well as emergency medical care?
- Is the hospital accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body, such as The Joint Commission? Joint Commission accreditation means the organization voluntarily sought accreditation and met national health and safety standards. The Joint Commission provides on-site surveys to review the hospital's medical and nursing care, physical condition, life safety program, special care units, pharmaceutical services, infection control procedures and a number of other areas affecting patient care.
- Does the hospital have a written description of its services and fees? What resources does the hospital provide to help you find financial assistance if you need it?
- Is the hospital clean? Visit the hospital and look around. Ask to see the waiting rooms and patient rooms.
- Do the services and specialties provided by the hospital meet your specific medical needs? Do you have a medical condition requiring specialized attention? Your medical history and current medical condition may affect the type of hospital you choose.
- Do you know the hospital's success record in carrying out the specific medical procedure you need? What is the training of the doctor who will perform the procedure? Ask how often the particular procedure is done.
- Does the hospital explain the patient's rights and responsibilities? Ask to see a copy of the hospital's patient rights and responsibilities information.
- Do you know who is responsible for maintaining your personal care plan? How are the care givers kept informed about your specific care needs? Can you or your family be kept up-to-date on your medical care?
- Does the hospital have social workers? Ask what services the social workers provide. Social workers usually help patients and their families find emotional, social, clinical, physical and financial support services.