The Health Ministry on Monday morning 4 Adar-II released the findings of a survey measuring satisfaction among thousands of patients treated in emergency rooms in Israeli hospitals. Over 10,000 patients took part in rating the hospitals and the study reveals that 44% of persons treated in the ER of Wolfson Hospital in Holon expressed dissatisfaction with the general conduct of the ER including 46% who felt they waited too long and 35% did not understand the explanation they received regarding their tests.

In addition to these general figures, which do not come as a surprise to man. One may analyze the figures to rate individual hospitals based on an array of parameters.

For example, in the category of general satisfaction, Wolfson Hospital receives the lowest scores and then, from the bottom up, Soroka Hospital (Beersheva) and then Rambam Hospital (Haifa).

In the category of waiting time, Wolfson is at the bottom of the list once again following by Rambam and Beilinson (Petach Tikva).

Rating physical conditions in an emergency room, Wolfson once again was the worst, followed by Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer (Tel Aviv) and Hillel Yafeh (Hadera).

Officials at Wolfson report they are aware of the results of the study and they are they are taking them most seriously. It is added the study was carried out while renovations were taking place in the general emergency room and conditions will improve when renovations are completed.

Rambam officials responding to the report explain the facility is the only facility in the north, serving two million residents and in the area of pediatric ER, their standard leads the nation. Regarding the adult ER, the hospital is facing serious challenges including a significant lack of beds.

General Satisfaction of ER Among Large Hospitals

· Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital is in first place with 63.1%

· Sheba Medical Center 55.3%

· Ichilov Hospital 55.1%

· Beilinson Hospital 51.9%

· Rambam Hospital 49.4%

· Soroka Hospital 47.4%

General Satisfaction of ER Among Moderate Hospitals

· HaCarmel (Haifa) 66.2%

· HaEmek (Afula) 65.8%

· Bnei Tzion (Haifa) 64.3%

· Schneider (Petach Tikvah) 63.4%

· Wolfson (Holon) 62.6%

· Meir (Kfar Sava) 61.4%

· Shaare Zedek (Yerushalayim) 58.6%

· Nahariya 56.7%

· Assaf HaRofeh (Rishon L’Tzion) 51.8%

· Barzilai (Ashkelon) 50.9%

· Kaplan (Rehovot) 50.1%

· Hillel Yafeh (Hadera) 49.7%

General Satisfaction of ER Among Small Hospitals

· Mayanei HaYeshua (Bnei Brak) 79.7%

· Scotti (Yerushalayim) 67.6%

· HaSharon 66.7%

· Laniado (Netanya) 64.3%

· Hadassah Mt. Scopus (Yerushalayim) 64.0%

· Poriah (Tiveria) 62.4%

· Yosef Tal (Eilat) 56.6%

· Rebecca Ziff (Tiveria) 50.8%

Overall, 75% of respondents feel they are treated with respect in an ER, 69% report they were given adequate information and well informed, 66% were satisfied with physical conditions and 67% felt waiting time was acceptable.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)