Wollongong Hospital has rated relatively poorly for its co-ordination of patient care in a new patient report.
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Survey responses for the hospital were ‘‘significantly lower’’ than the state average in nine out of 22 questions in the Bureau of Health Information’s Patients Perspectives report.
The report, released on Wednesday, was based on responses to the NSW Adult Admitted Patient Survey 2013.
It showed that about one in five patients felt not enough information was given to them about their condition or treatment during their stay in Wollongong Hospital.
Only half those surveyed said the doctors, nurses and other health professionals caring for them always explained things in a way they could understand.
Meanwhile, only two-thirds of patients thought the doctors who treated them knew enough about their medical history.
In terms of co-ordination and continuity of hospital care, 59per cent thought the care they received was ‘‘very well organised’’ and 47per cent thought doctors and nurses worked very well together.
The report also showed that 71per cent of patients had their discharge from hospital delayed on the day they left, and only 58per cent felt fully involved in decisions about their discharge.
In terms of overall experience, the survey showed that 70 per cent of Wollongong Hospital patients would speak highly of their hospital experience, compared with 77per cent statewide. Only 5per of patients said they would be critical of their experience at Wollongong.
Patients Perspectives compared results across hospitals, local health districts and internationally. BHI chief executive Dr Jean-Frederic Levesque said across the state, smaller hospitals and more rural districts performed well.
For instance Shoalhaven Hospital only performed less favourably than the state average in one question, while scoring ‘‘significantly higher’’ than the state average in five questions.
Shellharbour Hospital was lower than the NSW average for two questions, and above average for one.
‘‘This report is consistent with other research that shows patients are generally happy with their care in hospitals, nevertheless there is room for improvement in achieving the highest levels of excellence,’’ Dr Levesque said.