[Postoperative pain relief is an important factor for the patients' selection of a clinic. Results of an anonymous survey].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the survey was to elucidate the significance of postoperative pain therapy for the patient and its influence on the choice of hospital.


METHODS
This prospective, anonymous survey of consecutive patients in a general surgical clinic was performed by an independent study nurse.


RESULTS
A total of 161 patients were included; 90% of the surgical patients considered "good pain therapy" as a highly important factor, and three of four patients would admit themselves more likely to a clinic well known for "good pain therapy." If the patients could choose their hospital, factors such as "medical care by the physicians" are most important (rank 1; rank 1 most important, rank 10 most unimportant) followed by quality of "nursing care" (mean rank 2.6) and "good pain therapy" (mean rank 3.6). Older patients (> or = 60 years) preferred a hospital with known "good pain therapy" more often for surgical therapy than younger patients (< 60 years).


CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that postoperative pain relief is an important factor for the patients' selection of a clinic and is influenced by an age of > or = 60 years.
Simanski
C
C
Unfallchirurgische Klinik Köln-Merheim, Lehrstuhl für Unfallchirurgie/Orthopädie Universität Witten-Herdecke. Christian.Simanski@uni-koeln.de
Lefering
R
R
Paffrath
T
T
Riess
P
P
Yücel
N
N
Maegele
M
M
Thüsing
C
C
Neugebauer
E
E
D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires