For the second time, the Ministry of Health is publishing today the results of the service and quality of care index scores in internal medicine departments. The indices are intended to bring about improvement in the quality and service of hospitalization in these departments and to encourage hospitals to continue to improve in this regard.
The publication of the service and quality index model in internal medicine departments, which is intended, as mentioned, to incentivize hospitals for the continued improvement process of these departments, also constitutes part of the implementation of the conclusions of the Tor Kaspa Committee, which was established to improve care in internal hospitalization.
The scores being published reflect the hospitals’ adherence to the following indices – each according to its relative weight, with the first four indices being examined based on activity from 2024, and the last two based on the year 2025.
The purpose of publishing the hospitals’ adherence to the indices is to reflect to the general public the quality of care and service in internal medicine departments, and additionally serves as a basis for the hospitals’ remuneration according to their adherence to the indices, in a total sum of NIS 90 million this year.
The six indices according to which the scores are calculated are: the rate of staffing of specialist and intern physicians per bed (10% of the score); staffing of shifts by a certified nurse, a graduate of an advanced course relevant to care (7.5%); the rate of nurses who are graduates of advanced courses in fields relevant to internal medicine departments in general (7.5%); the rate of patients who returned for hospitalization in each hospital, within seven days of their discharge from internal hospitalization, where a low percentage in this component is considered a better result (25%); survey results conducted by the Ministry of Health in internal medicine departments, examining patient satisfaction with hospitalization services, following last year’s survey pilot (35%); internal processes carried out by the hospital to improve patient service (15%).
Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, Head of the Medical Division at the Ministry of Health: “Internal medicine departments are a central pillar in hospitals, playing a crucial role in treating complex patients and responding to challenges arising from the aging population. Each year, hundreds of thousands of patients are treated in these departments for various medical conditions. The quality of care and the availability of services are of paramount importance, affecting the healthcare system’s ability to provide a response in routine and emergency situations. The Ministry of Health will continue to lead a series of actions aimed at expanding services in internal medicine departments while continuously improving the entire system.”
Neria Stauber, Acting Deputy Director General for Pricing, Budgeting, and Planning at the Ministry of Health: “The internal medicine index, within which approximately NIS 90 million was invested in internal medicine departments, reflects the importance the Ministry of Health places on continuous investment and systematic improvement in the quality of care, hospitalization conditions, and strengthening these departments. The index serves as a central tool for incentivizing hospitals to continue improving service and quality, for the benefit of patients and staff.”
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