title: [Reorganizing the management of specialist uro-andrologic ultrasound health-care service: impact on professional quality].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The process of organizing a ultrasound service nowadays can be improved by properly managing the user's request, the speed of response and safety, the standardization of methods and skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outpatients at our uro-andrologic ultrasound clinic (O.U. of Urology in Ferrara) received a questionnaire each; we administered a total of 640 questionnaires. The number of questionnaires collected was 532. Patients were asked to give an assessment of services using a qualitative method according to a 4-parameter response scale: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, very dissatisfied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The identification of indicators to be monitored by the user's perceived quality was accomplished by establishing the correlation coefficient between different parameters of analysis and an overall rating of the sample. Some of these parameters were: the relationship with the practitioner, the availability of doctors, the ability of doctors for reassurance, the completeness of information and facilities hygiene conditions. When these parameters vary, positively or negatively, also the citizen's overall opinion changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The customer satisfaction is an important component of the quality of care, it represents both an indicator of the effectiveness of health intervention and the ability to meet quality requirements of the health service organization. The objective of an ultrasound service should be to provide, within a reasonable timeframe, the supply of high quality with qualified personnel, with adequate tools and procedures.
authors.affiliation: U.O. Urologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Arcispedale S. Anna , Ferrara, Italy. dellatti@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dell'Atti
authors.forename: Gian Rosario
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Russo
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D033441:Andrology / Q000458:organization & administration; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014572:Urology / Q000458:organization & administration