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Report cards are starting to appear on the Internet to help you compare healthcare
facilities. Three private websites that rate hospitals based on information
collected from Medicare records and other sources are www.usnews.com,
www.checkbook.org, and www.healthgrades.com.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accredits hospitals
as well as nursing homes and other healthcare organizations. Specially trained
investigators assess whether these organizations meet set standards. At www.jcaho.org,
you can check on a local facility, including how it compares with others. JCAHO also
accepts consumer complaints. You can post a complaint on its website or call
1-800-994-6610.
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Medical Facilities: Statistics
Get statistics on medical facilities at these sites:
- www.hcup.ahrq.gov is a free on-line
query system that provides access to health statistics and information on
hospital stays at the national, regional, and State level.
- www.firstgov.gov offers information on
health facilities in your area and health issues by age group.
- www.aha.org is the website of the
American Hospital Association.
- www.citizen.org links to a public
interest organization that provides information on medical board
disciplinary actions.
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If you're looking for a nursing home or other assisted living facility, these
additional organizations can help.
- Nursing Home Compare operated by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services will help you compare the facilities in many states.
Go to www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp,
or call 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227).
- Eldercare Locator, www.eldercare.gov,
another service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides
information and referral services for those seeking local and state support
resources for the elderly.
- The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging,
www.aahsa.org, is a trade group that
represents many nonprofit facilities.
- The Assisted Living Federation of America,
www.alfa.org, represents both for-profit
and nonprofit assisted-living facilities. Phone: 703-691-8100.
- The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities,
www.carf.org, gives its seal of approval to
qualifying facilities. Phone: 1-888-281-6531.
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