Selecting A Pediatric Hospital Based Upon Your Healthcare Plan

What criteria are best to use when determining which hospital to send your child?

United States News and World Report has ranked the top children’s hospitals for 2008. It divided the hospitals by specialties including cancer, digestive disorders, heart and heart surgery, neonatal care, neurology and neurosurgery, respiratory disorders, and general pediatrics. The methodology used was a three part blend of outcome, reputation, and care related measures such as credentialing, advanced technology, nursing care, etc. Of the 143 hospitals invited to participate, 113 responded. The rankings are as follow below.

General

• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Children’s Hospital of Boston
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Digestive Disorders

• Children’s Hospital Boston
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Respiratory Disorders

• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Cancer

• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Children’s Hospital of Boston
• Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston

Heart & Heart

• Children’s Hospital Boston
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston

Neurology

• Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Baltimore
• Children’s Hospital Boston
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

The National Association of Children’s Hospitals and related institutions offer advice in selecting a suitable hospital for your child. Understand the medical condition for which treatment is sought. If the condition is rare, it is important that a hospital which has a specialization in the field is selected. Ask for recommendations from the child’s general physician. With their expertise and knowledge, they are an excellent resource in finding the best facility for treatment.

Understand your health care coverage. Make sure to select a hospital which is included in your plan. Also, seek information regarding the coverage of specialized treatments for your child. If your health provider does not provide coverage, have the physician help you in making an appeal. There are often state programs which can help cover portions of the cost as well. Social workers employed by the hospital can provide counseling into the resources available.

Look into the hospital’s accreditations. Is it certified by a body such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations which means the facility voluntary sought and met safety and health regulations? Are the doctors board certified?

Research the hospital’s past history regarding treatment. How successful have they been? Generally, it is best to select a hospital which has a strong background.

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