Inpatients rate their experiences of their stays in Portlaoise hospital

ACCORDING to a survey, 75% of patients reported having a ‘good or very good experience’ as an inpatient at Portlaoise hospital.

The 2024 National Inpatient Experience Survey (NIES), which has just been published highlighted high levels of patient satisfaction while also identified key areas for improvement in Irish hospitals The survey captured the experiences of patients in public acute hospitals across Ireland. 

This year, over 12,000 patients took part in the survey, providing feedback on their care experiences in Irish hospitals during the month of May.

The survey revealed the care experience at Portlaoise hospital was rated positively, with 57% of patients describing it as ‘very good’ and 21% as ‘good.’ 

The detailed survey consisted of 52 questions, covering experiences from admission through to discharge during their recent stay in a hospital in order to find out what was working well, and where improvements could be made.

According to the compilers of the survey findings: “Compared to the 2022 the 2024 results indicate an improvement in patients’ overall care experience ratings, particularly in the areas of hospital admissions and discharges, with discharges having consistently received the lowest scores in previous surveys."

In all areas of this year’s survey Portlaoise hospital scored above or similar to the national average for all survey questions. This included how the hospital and its staff dealt with admissions, and also in terms of how medical staff diagnosed, treated and cared for patients during their hospital stay.

As a result of the findings of the 2024 Patients Survey the following new measures will be introduced in Portlaoise hospital.

*Develop a patient feedback tool (with a QR code) to facilitate real-time, ongoing feedback and complaints about all areas within the hospital (i.e. in-patients; out-patients; Emergency Department and diagnostic departments/services). This tool will capture patients’ level of satisfaction with services on an ongoing basis Actively promote the importance of good communication skills among all staff grades by supporting the National Healthcare Communication Programme (NHCP) and sharing feedback from the NIES results related to information provision and communication with the Quality and Safety Specialty Committees.

*Publish a Hospital Information Booklet to provide patients and relatives with information before and during admission and after discharge from hospital However, despite overall positive feedback, patients identified a number of key areas to be improved including the lack of information from staff about warning signs or danger signals to watch for after returning home. 

*A dedicated healthcare professional available to discuss patients’ worries and concerns during their stay.

The Quality and Patient Safety Manager at Portlaoise hospital Mary Fitzpatrick said: “A number of areas for improvement were identified as a result of the last National Inpatient Experience Survey. We have used the 2024 results to develop quality improvement plans, to ensure patients’ priorities are being addressed going forward.” 

General Manager at the hospital John Joyce said: “Feedback from our patients is invaluable. These results offer clear insights into what we are doing well and highlight areas where we can introduce new practices and measures to drive further improvement, ensuring we continue to deliver an excellent standard of care.” 

The Regional Executive Officer at Dublin Midlands Kate Killeen White said the 2024 results shows that Portlaoise hospital “is delivering the highest levels of positive patient experience. Across all hospitals surveyed, there was consistent recognition of the care and compassion demonstrated by staff throughout our facilities. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all staff for their dedication to providing high-quality healthcare and for their continued efforts on quality improvement initiatives that enhance our services. Finally, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the patients who generously shared their time to offer valuable insights into their experiences with hospital care.” 

For further information on the National Patient Experience Survey log onto www.patientexperience.ie