Satisfaction Level of Inpatients on the Nursing Care Provided By Staff Nurses at King Fahd Central Hospital

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this study is to obtain a comprehensive data on the satisfaction level of inpatients on the nursing care provided by staff nurses at King Fahd Central Hospital in order to improve and strengthen the efficiency of health services and upgrading the provision of nursing practice through appropriate training program. Methodology: This is a descriptive- cross sectional study where 148 inpatients from eleven female wards/units at King Fahd Central Hospital were used. Data were gathered from them during the day of their discharge using a questionnaire adopted from Satisfaction with Care – SF (version 11/99) (www.promotingexcellence.org). However, the items were re-stated to suit the conditions in the setting of the study. A five-point Likert’s scale was used. The weighted mean and Kendall Coefficient of Concordance were used to treat the data. The Chi-Square was used to determine whether or not there is significant correlation among the ranks showing the satisfaction level of inpatients. The null hypothesis was tested based on a 0.05 alpha level. Findings: Inpatients from the FNW (4.31); ENT (3.80), and OB (3.74) were very satisfied while those from other wards were just satisfied on the nursing care provided by the nursing staff to them during their stay in the hospital. Inpatients from the OB (3.95) and FNW (3.71) were very satisfied on the services of nursing staff other than their work in the ward. It was only in Pedia-1 where the inpatients expressed they were unsatisfied (2.34). There was no significant correlation (X₂=13.068; df=11; 0.05 alpha level) of the ranks given by the inpatients on their level of satisfaction on the nursing care provided to them. There was also no significant correlation (X²=6.512; df=4; 0.05 alpha level) on the ranks they gave on their level of satisfaction on the services of nurses other than the ward. Conclusion: Generally, the inpatients were satisfied on the nursing care provided by the nursing staff. Their level of satisfaction on the services of the nursing staff in the wards/units and their other services showed no significant correlation. Implementation of the training program for staff nurses to improve their services is necessary to increase satisfaction level of inpatients.