Patient satisfaction survey in an obstetric and gynaecology ward of a tertiary care hospital

Objective: to find out the level of patient satisfaction related to different parameters of quality of health care. material and methods: this descriptive study was conducted on 200 patients admitted to the department of obstetrics and gynaecology,hayatabad medical complex,peshawar from march to december 2011. a quantitative structured questionnaire was used to record information and quantify satisfaction of the patients,taking the key elements of socio-demographic characteristics of the patients admitted,patient satisfaction regarding accessibility of health services,waiting area and waiting time,examination room and clinical consultation and the availability of medicines and other ancillary facilities. results: sixty three percent (n=126) patients tolerated waiting before examination but just over 40% (n=80) considered it acceptable to wait during and before the results of lab tests were available. for 70% (n=140) of the patients,admission was a pleasant experience. sixty five percent patients were happy with the time spent with the staff and 72% (n=144) were quite pleased with the way they were counseled,and various advices given. for only a third (34%,n=68) the cost was bearable to get treatment at this hospital. more than half of the patients complained about the cleanliness,especially of the wash-rooms. over half of the patients (58%,n=116) considered recommending this hospital to others. conclusion: all the aspects needed improvement. however,cleanliness universally remained a most complained aspect of our facility. patients were more satisfied with the medical and nursing staff than the lower ancillary staff.