Mater Dei admissions up to 90,000 since 2008

Admissions to Mater Dei hospital have gradually increased since 2008, with the numbers now reaching 90,000 patients, Mater Dei CEO Ivan Falzon told the press during the release of the 2015 Hospital Activity Report.

The report outlines the activities in admissions and discharges, ward attenders, out-patients and Accident & Emergency.

Falzon explained how the hospital is becoming more efficient in all of its functions.

“Certainly, the structural expansion of the oncology department and of the two additional wards have contributed to this, but the improvement of efficiency also lies in administrative decisions, a dedicated multidisciplinary team and synced medical systems such as myHealth,” Falzon said.

He added that the increase in admissions is a huge indicator of this improvement in efficiency, as medicine and surgery remain the fastest growing sectors.

“There has been an increase in day-surgery, meaning that patients are being treated immediately and are not having their daily lives disrupted more than is necessary. As a result, more availability is being made for patients who require longer care, as the increase in day-surgery frees up several previously occupied beds.”

He added that a new system has been put into place in terms of out-patient activity, with patient registration changing and including emergency patients.

Falzon explained that efforts are being made to expand the department, including opening clinics in the evening and extending visiting hours in order to cater for the needs of patients and their family.

“Additionally, elective surgeries have reached a record high, and are expected to continue to increase since, as of two weeks ago, elective surgeries are taking place on Sundays, despite being considered a ‘day-off’ for surgeons.”

“Such a noble act is only proof of the dedication the hospital staff has for patient care,” he added.

Clinical Director Joseph Zarb Adami said that the hospital was dedicated to ensuring the increase in patients was complemented by quality service, referring to Key Performance Indicators such as length of stay, mortality, and after-procedure quality of life, as well as other department-specific quality indicators, by which the hospital is assessing its quality of care.

Nevertheless, Falzon pointed out that the increase in foreigners seeking care from Mater Dei is a sign of faith in the hospitals standard of care.

“Activity in the A&E department has increased by 7.5% in the last year, and this was catered to by a huge investment in both infrastructure and in systems,” Zarb Adami said.

Furthermore, Zarb Adami stressed that one of the main objectives of the hospital is to be more accessible to the community, and thus wishes to extend the hospital’s services to the health clinics.

In light of all the positive changes to the hospital, Falzon appealed to the general public to be responsible with its use of public servicing, explaining that taking advantage of the A&E department and missing out-patient appointments and follow-ups can only mean that other patients are being denied access to these services and is a waste of resources.