Use of tracer conditions in assessing quality of patient care in medical wards of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Objectives: to assess the level of satisfaction by patients regarding the physical facilities of the wards and the courtesy of staff members, to elicit the information provided to patients by the staff of the ward regarding follow up care. Methodology: a descriptive study was conducted on patients with diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma and ischaemic heart disease (tracer conditions), in selected medical wards of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. An interviewer administered questionnaire and visual analogue scales were used for collection of information. Principal investigator trained in the use of study instruments and 6 preintern medical graduates collected data. Results: A total of 162 patients were studied. A majority of patients have not received information about the duration of follow up treatment, one hundred and five (68.8%) had not informed about the need for home care. The majority of patients were satisfied with the courtesy of all categories of staff. They were least satisfied with the cleanliness of the toilets, followed by the quility of foodprovided.