Rambam recently renewed an old tradition: "The Patients’ Parliament" – a unique activity in Israeli hospitals that enables patient representatives to take part in streamlining the health system.
Meeting of “The Patients’ Parliament” at Rambam, attended by Dr. Michael Halberthal. Photography: Nathaniel Ayzik, Rambam Spokesperson's Office.
A meeting of "The Patients’ Parliament" took place recently at Rambam Health Care Campus with the participation of dozens of patients. Dr. Michael Halberthal, Rambam’s incoming Director attended for the first time in this capacity, together with representatives of management, physicians, nursing, and paramedical organizations. The goal of the meeting was to find more effective solutions for common problems encountered in the hospital.
In 2016, the "Individual in the Center" campaign was launched. It is based on the assumption that every employee at Rambam is responsible for and influences treatment safety, service experience, and medical care quality, and that all these factors combined contribute to patients’ wellbeing.
As such, a session called "The Patients’ Parliament" is held periodically. During the meeting, patients and their families share with management representatives from their own treatment experiences, detailing the difficulties they faced along the way. Among the issues raised regarding treatment continuity were patient focus and the need for a digital site for patients.
This year, 18 patients and their families; Rambam Director, Dr. Michael Halberthal; Director of Nursing, Mrs. Gila Hyams; Director of the Department of Social Work, Ms. Roni Gagin; and Director of Transportation, Mr. Aviad Keren, attended the meeting. This exposed management and various sector representatives to the manner in which treatments are provided to the public, allowing them to examine the improved work processes formulated since the beginning of "The Patients' Parliament" project, and enabling these processes to be further improved upon for even greater efficiency. By advancing this initial project, Rambam’s management displays an active commitment to patient needs, aimed at placing them at the top of organizational priorities.