Tips for Choosing Your Health Care Provider

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Tips for Choosing Your Health Care Provider

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Choosing the right health care provider for you and your family is very important. Below are some questions to think about that can help you make a good choice:

Is the health care organization part of an academic medical center?

An academic medical center, or AMC, is a special place where doctors learn and teach while also taking care of patients. These centers have a hospital along with a medical school and training programs for health care workers, like nurses and physical therapists.

Why should you consider choosing an AMC?

Some of the benefits of choosing an AMC for your health care include:

More options: AMCs usually have a lot of different doctors and specialists. This means they can offer more kinds of tests and treatments that might not be available at smaller hospitals.

Routine and specialized care: They can take care of regular health needs, but they also have special services for serious diseases, injuries, and illnesses.

New discoveries: AMCs work hard to find new ways to help people feel better through research and new technology.

Clinical trials: If you or a family member is dealing with a tough illness, you might be able to join clinical trials at an AMC. These trials can give you access to new treatments that aren’t available elsewhere.

How do I compare hospitals?

When you’re looking at different health care providers, try to compare them fairly. Some AMCs, like UAB Medicine, care for patients who are sicker or have more complex health problems than many smaller, non-academic hospitals.

Is the health care organization accredited by The Joint Commission?

Accreditation means that a health care organization is officially recognized as doing a good job in taking care of patients. The Joint Commission is a special group that checks health care organizations to make sure they follow important rules for quality care. If they find that an organization does a great job, they give it accreditation, which lets people know that it provides good health care.

UAB Medicine has been accredited by The Joint Commission. This means that we have passed all the tests that show we are doing well. UAB Medicine also has special certifications for being exceptional at treating strokes and heart problems. These certifications show that UAB Medicine is recognized for offering excellent care in these areas.

Choosing a health care provider is a big decision, so take your time and think about what’s best for you and your family.

Some amazing things about UAB Medicine that make us stand out:

In the 2024-2025 “Best Hospitals” report by U.S. News & World Report, seven of our specialties were ranked among the top 50 programs of their kind in the nation. That’s a big deal!
Our organ transplant program is the largest in the southeast, with more than 16,000 transplants performed. That’s a lot of people getting a second chance at life!
We have the only Level 1 adult trauma center in Alabama, as recognized by the American College of Surgeons. This means we provide the highest level of care for serious injuries.
We treat about 5,000 new patients each year at the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Alabama. We’re here to help fight cancer and support our patients!
UAB Medicine is also home to the only Level IV Newborn Intensive Care Unit in Alabama. This means that we take care of the tiniest and most vulnerable babies when they need extra help.
Lastly, our Emergency Department was the first in the nation to be accredited as a Level 1 facility. This shows how dedicated we are to providing top-notch emergency care.

These achievements highlight how UAB Medicine is committed to providing excellent care and making a difference in our community.