Links or guides to checklists, hospital finders, or decision aids.

Hospital and Provider Comparison Tools

• Hospital Compare – Medicare.gov (Care Compare)
  Find and compare hospitals and other care providers based on quality ratings.
• Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade
  Check how safe your local hospitals are based on infection rates, safety practices, and more.
• Healthgrades
  Search for hospitals and providers, and view ratings and patient feedback.

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Patient Experience & Quality Measures

• CAHPS Surveys – AHRQ
  Learn how patient experience is measured through national surveys.
• CMS Star Ratings Explained
  Understand how the government rates hospitals and what the stars mean.
• National Quality Forum (NQF)
  A nonprofit focused on improving health care quality through endorsed standards.

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Patient Decision Aids

• Option Grid Decision Aids
  Evidence-based tools to help patients and families make informed choices.
• Ottawa Hospital Decision Aids
  Trusted decision aids for a wide range of health conditions and treatments.
• Mayo Clinic Shared Decision Making
  Tools and resources to support patient-clinician conversations.

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Health Literacy & Understanding Care

• MedlinePlus
  Easy-to-understand health information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
• Plain Language Medical Dictionary – CDC
  Helpful for understanding or translating medical jargon.
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
  Resources for improving patient-centered care across systems.

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Family and Caregiver Support

• Family Caregiver Alliance
  Resources and support for those caring for loved ones with health needs.
• AARP Family Caregiving
  Tools, guides, and community for family caregivers.
• Next Step in Care
  Practical guides to help family caregivers navigate hospital and care transitions.

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Patient Rights & Advocacy

• The Joint Commission – Speak Up™ Campaign
  Encourages patients to ask questions and be active in their care.
• National Patient Advocate Foundation
  Promotes patient rights and access to quality care.
• Patients Like Me
  A supportive online community where patients can connect and share experiences.