Local community hospitals tend to be smaller and more personal than teaching hospitals. For minor or routine surgeries, they’re probably fine. However, if you have a serious condition and want the best experts, choose a teaching hospital. Teaching hospitals are training sites for medical specialists and the places where leading-edge research is conducted.
Whatever hospital you select, make sure its received a good accreditation rating from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Call the hospital’s patient relations department to obtain that information or visit the JCAHO Web site: www.JCAHO.org.