Patient satisfaction with anaesthesia services in a tertiary care cancer centre. (SAY study)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patient satisfaction is an important measure of quality of health care. Its assessment leads to a balanced evaluation of the structure, process and outcome of service at an institution. The aim of our study was to assess patient satisfaction with perioperative anaesthesia services provided in our institution and identify factors leading to dissatisfaction which could be preventable or addressed to improve patient care and experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A convenient sample size of 200 patients was accrued after written informed consent. A questionnaire to suit local needs of institute was developed, validated and a language appropriate questionnaire was administered by a trained research nurse 24–48 hours post anaesthesia to accrued patients. Data was summarised in percentages and satisfaction scores were compared across demographic variables using Chi square test. RESULTS: A total of 96% (192/200) patients were satisfied with the overall interaction with the anaesthetists in the perioperative period; with 99% (198/200) patients being satisfied with acute pain services provided, postoperatively. As regards to recovery room, 96.5% (193/200) patients were satisfied with the services provided. Satisfaction scores of the pre-anaesthetic clinic (PAC), pain team and anaesthesia services compared across demographic variables – age, gender and education qualifications were found to be statistically non-significant. CONCLUSION: High rate of patients were satisfied with perioperative anaesthesia care services at our institute. Good and effective preoperative communication with the patient, effective management of postoperative pain and complications significantly contributed towards overall high patient satisfaction.