Illinois launches online hospital and surgical center report cards

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Illinois has launched an online tool consumers can use to find an unprecedented amount of information on hospitals and surgical centers.

A state law passed in 2003 requires all Illinois hospitals to report nurse staffing, infection prevention measures and hospital acquired infections data to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Consumers now can search for that information on local and regional hospitals. The site also includes information on prices of procedures and how consumers rate the facilities’ care.

State Rep. Julie Hamos (HAY’-mohs), an Evanston Democrat, was a sponsor of the original legislation along with President Barack Obama, who was then a state senator.