title: First steps in validating the pediatric anesthesia parent satisfaction (PAPS) survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the last few decades, patient satisfaction has become a critical component of quality assessment and is being incorporated into payment for performance plans. However, assessment of satisfaction with anesthesia services is problematic and few validated satisfaction tools have been published. Assessing parent satisfaction with pediatric anesthesia services is even more challenging.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to develop, implement, and start validating a set of survey questions that evaluate parental satisfaction with the pediatric anesthesia services in order to identify strengths and potential areas for improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Pediatric Anesthesia Parent Satisfaction (PAPS) survey contained 17 questions adapted from the American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Outcomes and Performance Measures. With consent of the hospital quality improvement committee, the PAPS survey was randomly administered on iPads to 250 English-speaking parents in the main operating room and procedure center postanesthesia care units prior to discharge. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha and Raykov's rho coefficients, composite scale creation, correlations between items, composite scores, and overall satisfaction measures were used to provide evidence for a subset of validity and reliability types.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PAPS survey is a short and simple tool for evaluation of parent satisfaction with pediatric anesthesia services and provides some evidence for validity and reliability. The majority (greater than 95%) of parents reported were satisfied or very satisfied with the care provided by the pediatric anesthesia department.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Milliken-Glabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Jeannie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Sonja I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Ziniel
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Kara A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Bjur
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Judit M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Szolnoki
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Norah R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Janosy
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
keywords: measurement; outcomes; quality improvement