How to Use a Patient Satisfaction Survey

Measuring the satisfaction levels regarding quality and safety initiatives is an essential guide to improvement required in healthcare. The approach is crucial in promoting community health and ensuring the loyalty of the customers, especially among private providers. The results of measurements assist in reducing the per capita cost of healthcare. Measuring healthcare consumer satisfaction can be done using surveys administered to both patients and providers. Various areas are included in the survey, such as communication with the healthcare providers, pain management, discharge information, how the hospital staff responds to different situations, communication about medication, and general environment of the hospital such as quietness and cleanliness (Al-Abri & Al-Balushi, 2014). The measurement outcome will guide healthcare providers on recommendations that can be implemented to achieve positive patients experience. Patient satisfaction should be used as a balance measure and not a driver of outcomes. It should guide the physician on ways of improving areas such as communication to create a positive experience and improve satisfaction.    

The use of a patient satisfaction survey as a measurement of the consumer satisfaction tool at the long-term care facility can guide on improvements required. It will guide the healthcare providers on areas that need improvement, such as communication on medication, making sure that patients understand the amount and type of drugs they should take at a certain time. The questions in the survey should be explicitly formulated on the activities revolving around the long-term care facility. Patients should be educated about the importance of taking surveys and answering questions with honesty and transparency (Al-Abri & Al-Balushi, 2014). The outcome of the survey will initiate the change needed, such as in the hospital environment, to ensure that patients feel accommodated and satisfied. The healthcare providers at the facility can also make suggestions on where patients should improve, such as asking questions when needed to avoid misunderstanding. Administering the survey will improve overall patient satisfaction at the long-term facility.   

Reference 

Al-Abri, R., & Al-Balushi, A. (2014). Patient satisfaction survey as a tool towards quality improvement.  Oman medical journal ,  29 (1), 3.