title: Clients and clinician satisfaction with laboratory services at selected government hospitals in eastern Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In clinical laboratory service, patients and clinical service providers are the primary focus of survey of satisfaction in many countries. The objective of the study was to assess clients' and clinicians' satisfaction with laboratory services at selected government hospitals in eastern Ethiopia from May to June, 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A cross sectional study was conducted at Dil Chora, Jugal, Hiwot Fana and Bisidimo hospitals. Data were collected from 429 patients and 54 clinical service providers. A statistical analysis was conducted using Likert Scale and SPSS Version 16 software. Most of the patients (87.6%) were satisfied with the laboratory services. The lowest [2.48 ± 1.39] and highest [4.27 ± 0.83] rate satisfaction were on cleanness of latrine to collect specimens and availability of laboratory staff on working hours respectively. The extent of the patients' satisfaction was different among the study hospitals (P-value < 0.05). Most of the clinical services providers (80%) were also satisfied with the laboratory services. The lowest [3.02 ± 1.36] and highest [3.78 ± 1.03] rate of satisfaction were found on critical value notification and timely test results for HIV/AIDS patients care respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall degree of customers' satisfaction with laboratory services was high. But there were some services such as the cleanness of latrines, information given during specimen collection outside laboratory and critical value notification which need attention. Therefore, the hospital administrations and the laboratory departments should work harder and closely to solve the identified problems. Further study with a larger sample size and more factors is recommended.
authors: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. zelalemtmariam@yahoo.com
authors: Zelalem
authors: Z
authors: Teklemariam
authors: Abiyu
authors: A
authors: Mekonnen
authors: Haji
authors: H
authors: Kedir
authors: Getachew
authors: G
authors: Kabew
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D055815:Young Adult