Helpful Links
AHRQ National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports: This site allows for consumers to explore various performance metrics and areas of care that are of interest to them. Access the Vermont-specific reports, here.
CDC's Clean Hands Count Campaign: Tips and advice for patients and visitors of health care facilities.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network: Guides and resources for patients and caregivers.
Prorepublica Surgeon Scorecard: Compare performance of Vermont surgeons in eight categories: knee replacement, hip replacement, cervical spinal fusion, lumbar spinal fusion (posterior), lumbar spinal fusion (anterior), laparoscopic gallbladder removal, prostate removal and prostate resection surgery.
American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM): Choosing Wisely is an initiative of the ABIM Foundation, Choosing Wisely is focused on encouraging physicians, patients and other health care stakeholders to think and talk about medical tests and procedures that may be unnecessary, and in some instances can cause harm.
To spark these conversations, leading specialty societies have created lists of "Things Physicians and Patients Should Question" — evidence-based recommendations that should be discussed to help make wise decisions about the most appropriate care based on a patients' individual situation. A Master list for all specialties is also available.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): AHRQ's mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used.
- AHRQ: Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital: This is a guide for patients to help them care for themselves when they leave the hospital. The easy-to-read guide can be used by patients during the discharge process and provides a way for patients to track their medication schedules, upcoming medical appointments, and important phone numbers.
- AHRQ: Navigating the Health Care System: Online Tools Help Patients Find Good Health Information
- AHRQ: Treatment Options Web page (for consumers): Link helps patients ask the right questions to be an involved participant in their care.
- AHRQ: Partners in Action Web page: Provides link to organizations across the country who are taking action to encourage informed decision making based on evidence to improve the quality of care.