If you use the 'preglued' patches, yes, that's the fail rate. They suck and are not meant to be permanent in general.

The standard patches that come with a separate tube of vulcanizing rubber cement, though, are excellent. I've used 4 different brands and all have been good (and cheap). Pretty much failsafe. Use liberal amounts of glue, let dry (takes less than 60 seconds) and apply patch. No tricks needed. I've patched over 15 tubes in the past 3 years with pretty much complete success.

I get flats in batches, it seems. I'm currently on a 4 month stretch of no flats but the 4 months before that I was a 3 flats in 8 weeks. I once had a miniscular metallic single shard in my tire that I couldn't find take out 3 of my tubes before I found it (sucked as I was one a ride as well and had to get a spare from a random rider on the road). I was glad then that I patched, as it would have been a royal shame to throw out a $7, unridden tube due to a pinhole puncture.