How Can I Ensure A Safe Healthcare Visit?
It is important for patients and their families or other advocates to be actively involved in their care -- during clinic visits, admissions, with any surgeries or procedures that take place, and at discharge. Always ask questions to clarify something you are unsure of.
Surgeon information
Compare performance of Vermont surgeons in eight categories using Prorepublica's online surgeon scorecard: knee replacement, hip replacement, cervical spinal fusion, lumbar spinal fusion (posterior), lumbar spinal fusion (anterior), laparoscopic gallbladder removal, prostate removal and prostate resection surgery.
Hospital specific information
Hospital Report Cards: these quality ratings and performance statistics outline information from heart attacks to readmission rates, surgical infections to patient satisfaction, and more.
Hospital Compare: publishes general hospital information, patient experiences and timeliness of care, among other data.
The Vermont Division of Licensing and Protection (DLP) conducts surveys to verify facilities are compliant with the appropriate regulations, and the reports from these surveys, and any necessary corrective action plan, are available to the public.
DLP conducts two types of surveys:
A routine, periodic, unannounced facility survey to verify the facility are compliant is with the regulations (standard survey), and
The other is an unannounced complaint investigation, conducted as a result of a complaint or concern that DLP receives.
Other Resources
2022 Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Declaration to Advance Patient Safety: A product of the IHI convening the National Steering Committee for Patient Safety as a collaboration among 27 national organizations committed to advancing patient safety.
CDC's Clean Hands Count Campaign: Tips and advice for patients and visitors of health care facilities.
AHRQ National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports: This site allows for consumers to explore various performance metrics and areas of care nationally, or at the state level.