Patient Satisfaction with Pre-Hospital Emergency Services in Mazandaran, Iran

Abstract

Background and purpose: Providing health services to general public is an essential criteria for developing the communities. The most crucial division of healthcare is pre-hospital emergency care. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of patient satisfaction with pre-hospital emergency services in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical research was conducted in patients admitted to pre-hospital emergency department in Mazandaran, 2019. Data were collected using Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Sample size was determined using Morgan table and based on the number of emergency missions performed. A total of 2937 samples were selected by random sampling. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation. Results: The total number of missions performed by Mazandaran Medical Emergency Services was 138,751 in 2019 and data of 2937 patients were evaluated. The highest level of satisfaction was with the use of medical equipment reported by 2665 people (90.8%), while the least satisfaction level was associated with the absence of an active emergency medical technician (EMT) in ambulance patient compartment when transferring patient to the hospital (n= 1685, 76.1%). Conclusion: High satisfaction levels were reported by people receiving pre-hospital emergency services in Mazandaran. To increase patient satisfaction, equipment upgrades and presence of active EMT in ambulance patient compartment are recommended.

Keywords

• patient
• satisfaction
• pre-hospital emergency medical service
• emergencies