Follow-up to yesterday’s post: U.S. News & World Report 2013-14 Best Hospitals. 

Had I been able to be proactive (instead of at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon without Wi Fi or cell capability) this “Best Hospitals” information would have been posted, as close as possible to the day the magazine came out in July. Because of the time lapse, I was able to watch this CBS News broadcast video (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57594022/u.s-news-and-world-report-releases-2013-best-hospitals-list/.

The video’s specific information, imparted by Dr. Jon Pook in the interview, was the best–spontaneous, personalized, current and instructive. Dr. Pook is a doctor at at NY-Presbyterian/Columbia U. Medical Center and chief medical correspondent for CBS news.

I learned from his discussion, how to get optimal hospital care. For example, he elaborates on the importance of communication needing to be “a good hand-off” between the patient’s regular doctor and the hospital’s doctor or the hospitalist, comparing it to the passing of the baton in a relay. He calls attention to basic, but critical, things like hand-washing that “could save your life” and tells you what to be on the lookout for. Dr. Pook uses the term “electronic healthcare buddy.” It was new to me, but made so much sense that I, for one, am glad to know about this option.

Take a five minutes and watch the video. You too will be glad.