Finding the right primary care doctor or hospital can be hard. Knowing the right questions to ask can help you and your family make better decisions about your healthcare. The United States Department of Health and Human Services gives these tips:

Look for a hospital that is:

Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the nation's most prominent standard-setting and accrediting body for healthcare. JCAHO evaluates and accredits nearly 19,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. All hospitals in Einstein Healthcare Network are JCAHO-accredited. Information about our other accreditations is available on our accreditations page.

Rated highly by the state and by consumer groups or other organizations. Albert Einstein Healthcare Network has received a great deal of recognition for its high-quality care. In addition, our services consistently meet the high standards established by state and city agencies.

Covered by your health plan. Einstein Healthcare Network physicians and facilities accept most insurances. If you’re not sure, contact your insurer.

Very experienced and successful treating other people with your condition. Research shows that patients can expect better outcomes when their hospital has more experience in the procedures they will undergo. For instance, at Einstein Heart Institute, our heart surgeons are so experienced that they train other surgeons from around the country. And MossRehab physicians are recognized as the world's foremost authorities on brain injury and neuro-orthopaedic disorders. The same depth and breadth of experience exists in all parts of our network, from cardiology to liver transplantation, from behavioral health to geriatric services.

When considering “success,” it's important to remember that every surgical procedure involves some risk. That risk increases with age, serious illness, other conditions such as diabetes, or the need for multiple procedures at once. If you are using a hospital's mortality (death) rate for certain procedures to help you choose a hospital, it's important to compare rates for patients most like yourself to get the most accurate estimate of your risk. Ask your doctor about specific risks related to your procedure given your age and degree of illness.

Choosing a hospital that combines patient care with research and education can provide many advantages. According to a study in the December 1989 New England Journal of Medicine, private, not-for-profit, teaching hospitals such as Albert Einstein Medical Center have lower mortality rates than other types of hospitals. And at teaching hospitals, medical professionals in particular specialties develop and share information about the newest treatments and technologies. This ensures that beneficial treatments become available to patients more quickly.

Continually monitoring quality of care and working to improve quality. Improving quality throughout Einstein begins long before you arrive and continues after you've gone home. The care we provide is continuously evaluated against state and national standards and our own internal standards. And, Einstein regularly surveys its patients to get important feedback about our services and how we can better address our patients' needs.