A combination of doctors referral and reliable data.

My choice of hospital depends on whether it is a planned visit or unplanned. In an emergency, I go to the closest facility. If I have time to plan the visit, then I will look at the quality statistics and might question my doctor's choice if he recommends a hospital wit poor stats.

I actually use a combination of doctor referral, quality stats and friend's experiences to choose a hospital when it is something planned. In an emergency, I head straight down the road to the nearest, which boasts a trauma-certified ED.

To date, hospital stays have been doctor referrals. In emergency situations, I've chosen Wake Med on New Bern Avenue because of their heart center. A family member had surgery, back in Nov. 2010, and their doc recommended Johnston County Memorial in Smithfield, NC. I was so impressed by the caring attitude shown by EVERYONE we came in contact with. Have not seen that kind of customer service at any Raleigh area hospital. Kudos to Johnston County Memorial Hospital in Smithfield, NC!!

Depends on the reason for going. In an emergency, I go to the closest. Otherwise, I pick a hospital based on doctor's priviledges, friends' recommendations and hospital reputation/specialties.

I would go to the closest one, especially if it's an emergency. Otherwise it will depend on the reputation of the facility.

In Raleigh, the quality of care you can get, post-op, is a wide spread. I take my friend's and family's recommendations over everything, but if the doctor will only work out of a certain hospital then you're stuck, I guess.

I prefer to go to one that is close to me, but have to check with my health care provider to see if they will allow it. A big inconvenience.

This is a bad question without the appropriate options. Most people do not have a choice of hospitals. The hospital you go to is dictated by either your employer or the health insurance policy you have. Yes, many insurances say you can go "out of network", but coverage is reduced unless it is an emergency. In this economy that is just not a realistic option for the majority of people.