June 04, 2010 01:30am EST 

Choosing a hospital may not be consider a big decision for many people.  Most people will choose the hospital that they live closest to without even considering other hospitals.  While this may not be a bad idea, it may not be the best idea.  Choosing a hospital that is close to you is indeed a good decision, as it will ensure that you and your family receive treatment as soon as possible in medical emergencies.  The truth is, though, that location is not the only thing that you should be concerned about.
In the case of an emergency, you may not have the option of choosing a particular hospital.  However, if you have a planned admission, you can take charge and choose from a number of hospitals in your area.  Finding information about potential hospitals is the first step to making your hospital visit as pleasant as possible.
Prepare a number of questions to ask your doctor or a hospital representative to obtain the information you need.  Asking your doctor about the specific hospital that he or she practices at can provide you with honest information from the inside of the work force.  Asking your friends and family for recommendations is also a good idea.  Word of mouth can serve as a trustworthy method of obtaining potential hospitals for your stay.  Create a list of potential hospitals in your area, and prioritize them to the best of your ability considering your interests and location.  When you have your list of hospitals, it’s time for you to begin your search.
The rest of this article will list questions that you should look to answer before choosing from your list of potential hospitals.  There are general questions, specific questions about your needs, and questions about your eventual discharge that you should seek to answer.
1. General Questions – you should seek to answer these questions before you seriously consider choosing any of the hospitals on your list.
- Is the hospital in a convenient location for you and your family?  You should ensure that you can easily schedule and receive medical care in the event of an emergency.
- Can you easily find a description of the hospital’s services and fees?  Check to see if its resources are readily available
- Is the hospital in a clean environment?  Visit to check and see both the waiting rooms and the patient rooms.
2.  Specific questions – ask these questions to see if any of the hospitals fit your specific medical needs
- Do the services and specialties provided by the hospital fit your needs?  Do they have the right specialists to meet your medical conditions?
- Do the doctors have the experience needed to treat your condition?
- Do you have access to information regarding the maintaining of your personal care plan?  Find out who works for the hospital and which ones you will be dealing with on a normal basis.
- Do the hospitals provide social workers?  Social workers can provide help to patients for many non-medical issues.
3.  Discharge questions – ask the questions to ensure that, after your stay, the hospital will continue to work with you to stay healthy
- Will there be a plan for your when you leave?  Ensure that there is a discharge plan for you; ask whether your primary care doctor will be involved.
- Does the hospital provide information about further treatment?  Many hospitals will offer training for doing simple medical procedures such as changing bandages or taking medications with specific instructions.