[Survey on information provided to hospitalized patients at a monographic center]

To assess the information of patients, eight interviewers surveyed simultaneously 103 of the 130 in patients of a monographic (Urology and Nephrology) Hospital. Answers to the 10 questions can be grouped in: a) Physician identification: 72% identified the visiting physician and 61% knew his/her name; b) Information about disease: 94% declared to be informed and thought information was adequate (92%) and understandable (83%); c) Information about procedures or interventions had been given to 82% and not given to 18% of them. 43% had been inquired their opinion about treatment; d) Information to relatives had been given to 97% of patients surveyed, although 16% couldn't recall who gave it. The level of information in our Center is similar to others reported, but two aspects could be improved: 1) identification of all members of the team and 2) increasing patient participation in decision making. The need of the knowledge by the patient of the Hospitals hierarchy should be defined.