Patients rated four hospitals significantly below the national average: Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville, Sonora Regional Medical Center, Dameron Hospital in Stockton and Mercy Medical Center Merced.
Dr. John Santa is with Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. He says in the patient survey most hospitals scored lowest in two areas: explaining new medications and departure plans. But Santa says patients should be their own best advocates.
“It’s very reasonable, if now not expected, that when you are in the hospital you and your family should be assertive. And if everything is not going exactly as you would expect it to go, assert yourself.”
Patients rated two Sacramento area hospitals above the national average – Sutter Roseville and Sutter Davis.