Govt vows action after survey finds patients dissatisfied with hospitals

In response to a recent patient survey, Shanghai health authorities vowed to make it easier to book appointments and promised to improve the washrooms at local hospitals, the municipal government announced Wednesday.

The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning said that it would improve six aspects of hospital service after Fudan University and the Shanghai Medical Ethos Association published a survey earlier this month that found patients were unsatisfied with hospital washrooms, its appointment system, medical bills and hospital food, according to a press release from the municipal government.

About 26 percent of the 6,600 people surveyed said they were disappointed with the washrooms in public hospitals.

The commission demanded that hospitals hire more janitors, expand ladies washrooms and add hooks in the stalls for patients receiving intravenous treatment.

The survey also found that many patients complained that hospital waiting rooms were too crowded. In response, the commission said it will add more hospitals to the appointment booking system. Authorities will also take steps to stop patients from swarming top-tier hospitals.

Some 18 percent of patients complained about the variety and prices of hospital food.

Health authorities said that they will urge hospitals to serve a greater variety of food, but couldn't do anything about the prices.

The commission is also determined to add more screens in hospitals to show the prices of medical services, complete a medical service quality control system and encourage medical staff to be more polite to patients.