title: Patient satisfaction following day surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate patient satisfaction at discharge and 30 days after day surgery, and to identify predictive factors of patient satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational, prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Day surgery unit of a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  251 consecutive patients, aged 43 +/- 15 years (56.6% women), scheduled for day surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients' level of satisfaction was recorded in relation to different variables, using questions of demographics, logistics, and those relating to surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 95% of patients were satisfied with their care at both interviews; 74.5% of patients were completely satisfied at the discharge time; and only 62.4% had the same opinion 30 days after the surgery (P < 0.01). Postoperative pain control [odds ratio (OR) = 1.6], waiting time for surgery (OR = 1.4), and patient changing room conditions (OR = 1.3) were the most important factors influencing patient satisfaction at the time of discharge. Clinical outcome (OR = 3.2), clinical information (OR = 1.6), and postoperative pain control (OR = 1.3) were the main factors affecting patient satisfaction 30 days after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall satisfaction following day surgery was at least 95% at discharge and at 30 days. However, complete satisfaction was present only in 75% at discharge and decreased to 62% at 30 days. Clinical outcome was strongly related to patient satisfaction at 30 days after surgery. Factors directly controlled by anesthesiologists such as postoperative pain and information provided, also had a significant impact on patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Hospital Geral de Santo António, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal. paulo.f.lemos@netcabo.pt
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Loureiro
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Catarina S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Nunes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists