Quality of Outpatient Services

Most outpatient service centers are accredited and approved for the types of treatment offered. But not all centers provide care that is right for you. Be sure to find out whether the provider you're considering is reputable and qualified. The following government and health agencies can help you learn about the quality of outpatient service centers:

• Quality Check, a service of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. You can contact this organization by phone at (630) 792-5000 or online at www.jointcommission.org.
• Your state's board of medicine. Every state in the United States has a state board of medicine that regulates complaints against medical facilities and doctors. Although this agency will not reveal the details about any facility or individual, you can find out if there have been complaints filed against a facility or doctor. You can find your state board of medicine through the local telephone directory. Or go online and search for "Board of Medicine" for your particular state.
• The Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation for Immunohematology. This group oversees the accreditation for laboratories and testing centers. Information from this agency can be obtained through its website at www.cola.org.
• The American Osteopathic Association. This agency monitors approval of professional services by osteopathic physicians. You can find this agency through your local telephone directory. Or you can find it online at www.osteopathic.org.
• Your HMO, PPO, or insurance carrier. Many insurance carriers keep quality indicator records for doctors and facilities in your local area.