Healthgrades launches new physician search tool

Denver-based Healthgrades has released a data-driven search engine to find and compare physicians based on standardized measures, according to a statement from the company.

The free online tool enables consumers to search for physicians by name, practicing specialty, conditions treated or procedures performed. The database includes 1,100 practicing specialties and 600 diseases, conditions and procedures, which account for more than 90 percent of all inpatient hospital admissions, according to the statement. The company plans to expand the database in November with the addition of 800 more diseases, conditions and procedures.

After the initial search, users can refine their results with additional filters for the physician's experience with a given condition or procedure, hospital quality, insurance accepted, location, gender and overall patient satisfaction rates. These rates are based on data from nearly 5 million patient surveys. The new search also offers an overall best match feature, which combines up to nine filters to present users with the best physician or specialist to fill their needs.

"The Internet has dramatically changed how people access important information and make connections. Just look at the popularity of sites like Zillow and TripAdvisor.com. But unlike shopping for a house or vacation, detailed information about physicians and hospitals has been non-existent until now," Healthgrades CEO Roger C. Holstein said in the statement.

In addition to connecting consumers with physicians, the site is designed to help physicians connect with specialists to make more informed referrals. Nearly two-thirds of physicians agreed access to more information about other physicians would help them make better referral decisions, according to a study conducted by Stax for Healthgrades.

Physicians in the study rated a physician's experience with a specific condition or procedure as the most important factor in determining a specialist referral, followed by hospital quality and patient satisfaction. The new search engine is the first of its kind to combine physician experience, hospital quality and patient satisfaction search capabilities, according to Healthgrades.

To access the Healthgrades search, visit www.healthgrades.com or download the Healthgrades iPhone app.

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