Useful Resources
As a health care consumer, there are a number of places you can go to find information about the quality of care we deliver at UTMB. One important way to learn about hospital quality is to look at hospital report cards developed by state and consumer groups. A recent study about such reports found that in addition to helping consumers make informed choices, they also encourage hospitals to improve their quality of care.
Below is a list of resources to help guide you in your search for more information. You may also visit UTMB Health's Patient Resource Center website .
Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ)
The AHRQ site contains information for patients and health care consumers on the costs of health care, choosing health care plans, and preventing errors. The site also offeres information about getting diagnosed, having surgery, taking medications and having treatments, and using hospitals and clinics. There are tips about how yo can become more involved in your health care, as well as questions you should consider asking your doctor.
The Joint Commission’s award winning Speak Up™ program urges patients to take an active role in preventing health care errors by becoming involved and informed participants on their health care team. The Speak Up program now features free brochures, posters, infographics and animated Speak Up™ videos on a range of health care topics. Examples include brochures on how to prevent infection, avoid mistakes with medication, error in your care and more.
Hospital Compare has information about the quality of care at over 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals across the country. You can use Hospital Compare to find hospitals and compare the quality of their care. Hospital Compare is a consumer-oriented website that provides information on how well hospitals provide recommended care to their patients. This information can help consumers make informed decisions about health care.
Quality Check® is The Joint Commission’s search engine to locate Joint Commission accredited an certified health care organizations in the United States. Visitors can search by city and state, by name or by zip code.
Consumer Health Choices is where you can find free Consumer Reports resources for patients and their families.
Choosing Wisely® aims to promote conversations between providers and patients by helping patients choose care that is:
- Supported by evidence
- Not duplicative of other tests or procedures already received
- Free from harm
- Truly necessary