Experience: Does it really matter?

Being a medical malpractice lawyer who only represents the victims of medical negligence, I am constantly asked by friends and neighbors “who is a good doctor for______,” or “which hospital has the best reputation for treating_____?”

My answers vary depending on the disease/condition being treated or the surgery to be performed.  Despite this variation, one consideration is consistently present.  I respond to the question by recommending the doctor or hospital which has the most experience in providing the particular medical services needed.  This information is hard to come by when you are searching for what experience a particular doctor has or doesn’t have.  For hospitals, finding those answers is much easier.

The Leapfrog Group is a nonprofit watchdog organization that serves as a voice for health care consumers. The Group monitors the level of care provided by nearly 3,000 hospitals in the United States.  The Group’s 2022 hospital surveys are now available and I want to share with you the respective experience 3 hospitals in my area have treating certain specific medical issues.  Those hospitals are LewisGale Medical Center (in Salem, VA – LGMC), Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (in Roanoke, VA – CRMH), and LewisGale Hospital – M (in Blacksburg, VA – LG-Montgomery).

 

                                                                                            LGMC             CRMH             LG-M          Total # 

Gallbladder and Common Duct Explorations               32%                  51%                    17%               996

Spinal Fusion Procedures                                                  12%                   82%                    6%               797

Knee Surgery                                                                        27%                   11%                    62%              428

Other Spine Procedures                                                     19%                   70%                   11%               820

Upper GI Endoscopies                                                       0%                     99%                    1%                465

Hernia Repairs                                                                    0%                     98%                    2%                 62

 

My Take:  If you want to go to a hospital which has the most experience treating patients and conditions like yours, it looks like you should go here:

Gallbladder and Common Duct Exporations – CRMH

Spinal Fusion Procedures – CRMH

Knee Surgery – LG-Montgomery

Other Spine Surgeries – CRMH

Upper GI Endoscopies – CRMH

Hernia Repairs – CRMH

Going to the hospitals with the most experience treating your condition/medical problem is not a guarantee of a good outcome…but it is a darn good start.

Compare the hospitals in your area here.