Findings of the 2022 National Inpatient Experience Survey have been published

During May 2022, 24,996 people were invited to participate in the fifth National Inpatient Experience Survey. In total, 10,904 people took part in this survey, a response rate of 44%.

The majority of patients (81.9%) rated their overall experience of hospital care as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ with most patients saying they were always treated with respect and dignity. Respondents also gave high ratings for their interactions with nurses, pain management and confidence and trust in hospital staff.

Nevertheless, patients also highlighted areas for improvement, including long waiting times in the emergency department. 29% of patients said that they were admitted to a ward within the HSE’s target that 70% of patients should be admitted or discharged within six hours. However, 334 people (4.5%) said they waited 48 hours or more before being admitted to a ward.

Patients were also less positive about the availability of emotional support, time to discuss care and treatment with a doctor, information on how to manage a condition after leaving hospital, and opportunities for family members to talk to a doctor. 22% of participants said that they did not find a member of staff to talk to about their worries and fears.

The average patient rating for ‘care on the ward’ was 8.2 out of 10. Patients generally gave positive ratings of cleanliness, with 75% of people saying that their room was very clean.

‘Discharge or transfer’ was the lowest-rated stage of care, with an average patient rating of 6.9 out of 10. While 69% of patients said that the purpose of medications they were to take at home was fully explained to them, 36% said that they were not told about medication side effects.

The aim of the survey is to find out from patients what is working well in our health service, and where improvements are necessary. The HSE responds to the survey findings by developing local and national initiatives to improve the quality of care provided to patients.

The national report and local results for each hospital can be seen here.