Ed Bennett, an Angie's List member and web program manager at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, has been keeping track of the number and types of social media used by hospitals.

He says they're relying on it for news announcements, crisis communications and to keep people in the community aware of new research or treatment options.

"It's become a big part of their customer service," says Bennett, who posts his findings on his blog, "Found In Cache."

Here's a glimpse at how hospitals are increasingly wiring into the social media community: