Abstract
BackgroundPatient satisfaction is an important indicator of emergency care quality and has been associated with information dispensation at the emergency department (ED). Optimal information dispensation could improve patient experience and expectations. Knowing what kind of information patients want to receive and the preferred way of information dispensation are essential to optimize information delivery at the ED. The purpose of this cross-sectional observational study was to evaluate patient satisfaction concerning information dispensation (including general, medical, and practical information), the need for additional information, and preferences with regard to the way of information dispensation at the ED of a teaching hospital in the Netherlands.ResultsFour hundred twenty-three patients (patients ≥ 18 years with Glasgow Coma Scale 15) were enrolled (response rate 79%). The median patient satisfaction score concerning the overall information dispensation at the ED was 7.5 on a rating scale 0–10. Shorter length of ED stay was associated with higher patient satisfaction in multivariate analysis (P < 0.001). The majority of respondents were satisfied regarding medical (n = 328; 78%) and general information (n = 233; 55%). Patients were less satisfied regarding practical information (n = 180; 43%). Respondents who indicated that they received general, medical and practical information were significantly more often satisfied compared to patients who did not receive this information (P < 0.001). Two thirds (n = 260; 62%) requested more general information. Half of the respondents (n = 202; 48%) requested more practical information and a third (n = 152; 36%) requested more medical information. The preferred way for receiving information was orally (n = 189; 44.7%) or by leaflets (n = 108; 25.5%).ConclusionThe majority of respondents were satisfied concerning information dispensation at the ED, especially regarding medical information. Respondents requested more general and practical information and preferred to receive the information orally or by leaflets.
Highlights
Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of emergency care quality and has been associated with information dispensation at the emergency department (ED)
Primary outcome The median patient satisfaction score concerning overall patient information delivery was 7.5
Univariate linear logistic regression analysis showed that referral by medical specialist or general practitioner and longer length of ED visit were significantly associated with a lower patient satisfaction score concerning overall patient information delivery
Summary
In this study 535 eligible patients were approached to participate of which 423 patients completed the questionnaire (response rate 79%) (Fig. 1). Univariate linear logistic regression analysis showed that referral by medical specialist or general practitioner (95% CI − 0.671 to −0.011; P = 0.04) and longer length of ED visit (95% CI − 0.003 to − 0.001; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with a lower patient satisfaction score concerning overall patient information delivery. Respondents who indicated that they received information concerning triage, waiting times and general, medical or practical information were significantly more satisfied compared to patients who did not received that information (P < 0.001) (Fig. 2). In univariate linear logistic regression analysis lower age (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.975–0.997; P = 0.01) and migration background (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.32–0.77; P = 0.002) were significantly associated with a greater need for general information. 0.04) were significantly associated with the preference for information delivery by leaflets
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