Think about your recent purchase of a car or simple household appliance. Did you do your homework before choosing it?
Now think about the last time you or a family member were in the hospital. You might not be aware at that time that you do have a choice. And you’re unlikely to compare service or quality, as there are few resources to help you choose the best hospital.
This may sound obvious, but the best time to choose the best hospital is when you don’t need it. This way you have time to compare all the hospitals in your area and think about your preferences.
Your local hospital may have a reputable emergency room. But city hospital in India may have a better reputation for hip replacement surgery. In other words, you can choose the best hospital for different treatments.
So, it’s a good idea to do your research and find out which hospital is best for you, whether you’re planning surgery, have a serious medical condition that may require hospitalization in the future, are planning childbirth, or are just getting ready to be.
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What Types Of Hospitals Are There?
There are many types of hospital in India, large and small. Some are run by non-profit organizations or charities. Some hospitals are public, which means they are funded by taxes. And some are operated by companies whose investors get a share of the profits.
Teaching Hospital
Hospitals that cooperate with medical schools are called training hospitals. In training hospitals, under the supervision of experienced doctors, medical students hone their skills on patients, which some may not like. But these hospitals also usually have the latest treatments and equipment. And patients often benefit from medical students, interns, and doctors working together to think of the best treatment.
Research Hospital
Some hospitals refer to themselves as research hospitals. This means that many of the doctors who work there do research in their area of specialization and can even conduct clinical studies. Patients in this type of hospital are often treated by doctors who are experts in their fields.
Special Hospital
Hospitals may specialize in one type of patient. For example, there are pediatric clinics, psychiatric clinics, oncology centers, and hospitals for the elderly.
A trauma center is a hospital equipped to treat the most serious injuries.
What Services Does The Hospital Provide?
The more beds a hospital has, the more services it usually provides. For example, most hospitals deliver babies. However, not all hospitals have special wards only for cancer patients or patients with very severe burns.
Hospital in India usually have a number of wards that treat patients, such as:
- Emergency department
This is where patients go (or are taken by ambulance) when they have a serious problem and need immediate help.
- Maternity
In which pregnant women are cared for during labour.
- Intensive Care
Patients on these wards usually have life-threatening problems and require constant monitoring. Some hospitals have separate pediatric intensive care units for children.
- Intensive newborn care
This department specializes in the care of sick or premature newborns.
- depiction
You can visit this department if you need an X-ray, MRI, CT or ultrasound scan.
- Operation
This department contains the hospital operating room and usually the recovery room.
- Larger hospitals may likewise have separate divisions for specific specialties. For example, a hospital might have a cardiology department that treats heart patients or a special department for people recovering from joint replacement surgery.
For certain treatments or surgeries, it may be important to go to a hospital that has a lot of experience in this area. Find out if any hospital you are considering specializes in treating your condition.
How Can You Check The Reputation Of The Hospital?
Checking a hospital’s reputation is not as difficult as you think. Here’s how you can select the right hospital:
- Ask your doctor to suggest some names of the best hospital for your treatment.
- If you have insurance, check with your carrier. Many insurance companies keep records of quality indicators for doctors and facilities in the area.
- Ask hospital staff if there are patient studies or internal quality control reports you can review.
- Apart from the hospital’s good reputation for quality and safety, little things count. Comfortable items can be essential if you expect your hospital stay to last more than a few days.
- Visit the hospital and ask for a tour. Call ahead and make an appointment.
- Ask to see patient rooms or different types of patient rooms.
- Make sure to check the food quality as the same chef may be responsible for feeding the patient.
- The location of the hospital may also be important to you. Consider how far you need to drive, especially in the case of follow-up visits. Can friends and family visit it easily?
- Compare the rules for the hospital visit you are considering. Some hospitals have stricter visiting hours than others. Will the hospital allow your loved ones to stay in your room overnight?
What To Consider When Choosing An Emergency Room?
In an emergency, it is usually best to go to the nearest emergency room (ER). But if there are several in your area, it’s a good idea to do a comparison first.
Find out which ambulance has the shortest waiting time. You can usually find out by calling the hospital and asking the average patient to wait in the emergency room.
The short waiting time in the emergency room is great, but the quality of care is important. In some cases, it may be a good idea to go to the emergency room 20 kilometers away if it has better facilities – a trauma center for example. Asking your doctor is a good step as he or has an abundant source of information to help you choose the best. Ask your doctor which emergency room they will take a family member to.
And nothing beats direct observation. Friends, neighbors, and colleagues who have been to the ER are good resources.
Final Words of Wisdom
Choosing a multispeciality hospital is no longer a daunting task with the advice given. You can experience world-class treatment with the best hospitals like Medanta Hospital. The choice of a hospital does not depend on only one factor. It depends on other factors such as including many things like facilities, doctors, services, examinations and many more. Above all, the things your friends and family say add to an endless chain of confusion and delays in decision making.