Levels of inpatient satisfaction with health service provision among patients admitted to Nekemte Referral Hospital, Nekemte, Ethiopia

Abstract

In health care services, satisfaction is a positive feeling of patients towards the health care provided to them. It is one of the methods of measuring quality of health care. Even if satisfaction is a subjective concept, it is one of the most important factors to improve health care services. The health care systems in most  developing countries suffer from serious deficiencies in financing, efficiency, equity and quality and are poorly prepared to meet these challenges. The objectives of the study was to assess the level of inpatient satisfaction with health care provision among patients admitted to Nekemte Referral Hospital. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on inpatient satisfaction with health care provision among patients admitted to Nekemte referral Hospital from 27/10/2014 to 24/12/2014. Valid and reliable questionnaires and in-depth interviews were administered to patients admitted to the hospital during the study period. A total of 422 respondents were participated in the study with 38.6 mean ages and standard deviation of 14.7. The age ranges were 15-90 years. Protestant 229(54.3%) was the leading religion followed by Orthodox 121(28.7%). Oromo 362(86%) was the major ethnic group. The overall satisfaction of inpatients with health care provision was 148(35.1%). Patient satisfaction with the attractiveness of the physical structure of the hospital were 242(57.3%), 224(53.1%) replied the hospital blocks were not sufficient, and 344(81.5%) replied the hospital compound was not neat, clear and planted with sufficient grasses and flowers, 283(67.1%) respondents answered the hospital lacks sufficient waiting rooms at each clinic. Most patients 387(91.7%) were interested to be visited by their relatives; therefore, adequate time has to be allocated for visitors.

Keywords: Inpatient Waiting room Levels of satisfaction Western Ethiopia Nekemte Referral Hospital