Hospital Ratings

www.healthgrades.com

I don't know how "official" this site is... but I use it.

there are so many 'ratings' sites, of doctor and hospitals....

1 mom found this helpful

There are a lot of ways to rate a hospital. Much of it depends on what kind of birth you are looking for. If you are looking for rates of c-sections done, how they rate on their level of NICU, how natural friendly, how mother/baby friendly they are.

Before you choose a doctor or hospital, I would suggest your decide what kind of birth you want. I am a birth doula and a natural childbirth educator. I have worked in many of the area hospitals and may be able to guide you in your decision. If you are interested, please give me a call or send me an email.

My phone number is ###-###-####, email is ____@____.com,
website wholeheartbirth.com

Hope to hear from you or anyone else interested in doula/childbirth services.

K. Voigtsberger, CD(DONA), AAHCC

1 mom found this helpful

Call the hospitals and ask for their stats. How many inductions? How many c-sections? etc...
Then do the same with doctors.

check out, http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings

make sure your ob and pediatrician has privilages at that hospital & if there are any malpractice complaints against them.

find out if the your doc and the hospital will support you & your birth plan. for example: natural birth/pain meds. breast feeding immediatly following birth? laboring/birthing/operating room to occur in the same room. while some hospitals have separate laboring and delivery rooms. is there a lactation conselor on staff? how's the nursing retention at the hosptial. we want happy nurses. make sure to visit/tour the hospital . Ratings are one thing, don't forget about the small details. it all adds to the overall experience. good luck!

the Joint Commission is an independent non-profit that certifies hospitals all in the US and all over the world.
www.jointcommission.org

I second checking out HealthGrades and getting specific stats on your doctor for his/her induction, c-sections because they control that, not the hospital.
In terms of L&D also find out what level their NICU is and the transport time to children's specialty hospitals (just in case).
You may also want to see if they have any special designations: baby friendly, mother friendly. They have to meet certain criteria for health and support for these designations. Also if they have any parent choice type awards speak volumes on their commitment to making their L&D and post partum experience good for families.
Best of luck!