Quality Health Care (Portland: loan, statistics, transport)

[Mike43]

What is the quality of health care in Portland Or? Best hospital?

[Nell Plotts]

I had a difficult diagnosis so did a wine & whine with an old friend who has practiced general surgery in America's finest hospitals: Sloan, Anderson and Cleveland Clinic. I could go where ever I wished and asked what I should do. He said that there is no better health care than that available in Portland.

There is no one 'best hospital'. I have had surgery at St. V's and OHSU and am now in fine health. It really depends on your needs.

If you have a health crisis and are transported by ambulance there is a region-wide triage system that will take you to the closest hospital equipped to meet your needs (is there a neurosurgeon on duty, how many are stacked up in trauma - and what level, heart specialist, burn treatment available). It doesn't make any difference who happens to be your health care insurer - you are just along for the ride.

You can find statistics on Oregon hospitals acquired infections by department online and another that looks at discharge planning and re-admits. I did that when I required surgery and there really were no bad choices. I choose based on the skills of the surgeon.