Outpatient department development in the situation of COVID-19 pandemic, Koh Phangan hospital, Surat Thani province, Thailand

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a huge impact on society including medical and public health service systems. It has also caused health care providers to be focused on adjusting the health service system of various departments to obtain patients’ satisfaction and to provide safety for both providers and service recipients.Objectives: This action research aimed to develop outpatient department (OPD) and compared the differences in satisfactory level before and after developing OPD in the situation of COVID-19 pandemic, Koh Phangngan Hospital, Suratthani Province.Methods: 4 steps were operated to OPD development: (1) Plan (2) Action (3) Observe and (4) Reflection. 310 samples were responded the satisfy questionnaire before and after developing OPD. Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, minimum, maximum and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. Paired sample t-test was used to analyze the differences.Results: Findings revealed that the setup of OPD improved the surroundings with symbols, signages and directions for social distancing of COVID-19 measure. Service system set up with KIOSK, face recognition, thermos scan and home delivery of medications were implemented. The average satisfaction scores before and after developing OPD was with statistically significant difference (Mean difference =-5.2 95%CI: -5.6 to -4.8).Conclusion: Service recipients received good quality services from OPD in accordance with the measures to prevent Covid-19 infection, and they were satisfied with the service system.