Quality of emergency rooms and urgent care services: user satisfaction

Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2015 Oct-Dec;13(4):587-93. doi: 10.1590/S1679-45082015GS3347. Epub 2015 Aug 25.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the quality of emergency rooms and urgent care services according to the satisfaction of their users.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study with a quantitative approach. The sample comprised 136 users and was drawn at random. Data collection took place between October and November 2012 using a structured questionnaire.

Results: Participants were mostly male (64.7%) aged less than 30 years (55.8%), and the predominant level of education was high school (54.4%). Among the items evaluated, those that were statistically associated with levels of satisfaction with care were waiting time, confidence in the service, model of care, and the reason for seeking care related to acute complaints, cleanliness, and comfortable environment.

Conclusion: Accessibility, hospitality, and infrastructure were considered more relevant factors for patient satisfaction than the cure itself.

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade dos prontos-socorros e prontos atendimentos, de acordo com a satisfação dos usuários desses serviços.

Métodos: Estudo descritivo transversal com abordagem quantitativa. A amostra foi constituída aleatoriamente por 136 usuários. A coleta de dados ocorreu no período de outubro e novembro de 2012 por meio de questionário estruturado.

Resultados: Os participantes eram na maioria do sexo masculino (64,7%), com idade inferior aos 30 anos (55,8%) e a escolaridade predominante foi o ensino médio (54,4%). Entre os itens avaliados, os que se associaram estatisticamente com os níveis de satisfação com o atendimento foram: tempo de espera, confiança do serviço, modelo do atendimento e motivo da procura do atendimento relacionado à queixa aguda, limpeza e conforto do ambiente.

Conclusão: A acessibilidade, o acolhimento e a infraestrutura foram fatores considerados mais relevantes para a satisfação do paciente do que a cura propriamente dita.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care / organization & administration*
  • Ambulatory Care / standards
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / standards
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Satisfaction / statistics & numerical data*
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / methods*
  • Quality of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires