How to shop for a hospital

More than 70 percent of hospitals will pay fines this year for such infractions as having too many hospital-acquired infections, too many patient re-admissions – or high mortality rates.

While many companies are jumping into the hospital ratings business, consumers are still looking for a reliable way to shop for hospitals. Here are several sources consumers can consider.

To check out hospital safety:

Hospitalsafetyscore.org

Hospital compare

Health Grades

Leapfrog

To make price comparisons (more sources should be available through your health plan):

Fair Health

Health Care Blue Book