Hospital-care satisfaction is low in isles

Many patients critical of care they've received

People hospitalized in Hawaii were less satisfied with their care than national averages reported in a federal survey released yesterday.

Nationwide, 67 percent of patients said they would definitely recommend the institution where they were treated to friends and family. In Hawaii, 56 percent of patients surveyed said they would recommend the hospital.

Nationwide, 63 percent of patients gave the hospital a rating of 9 or 10 on a scale of 10. In Hawaii, 52 percent gave a high rating to institutions where they were treated.

The U.S. Health and Human Services survey in 2,500 hospitals between October 2006 and June asked patients questions about pain medication, cleanliness, noise and courtesy of nurses and doctors.