Patients' Perceptions of Quality of Care During the Perioperative Procedure.

PURPOSE

To describe patients' perceptions of quality of care during the perioperative period and to identify areas for quality improvement.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used.

METHODS

The data were collected (N = 170) using a questionnaire for perioperative care. The methods were descriptive statistics, reported as percentages, and a manifest content analysis of the free text.

FINDING

The areas identified for improvement were information and participation. The participants lacked knowledge, preferred to hand over decision making to the hospital staff, and indicated that having personalized information about the surgery and perioperative period was important. However, too detailed information before surgery could cause increased anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that participation and information needs in perioperative settings seem to be situation specific. In addition, these needs seem to be personal and surgery specific. Further studies are required to clarify the differences in the satisfaction and quality of care between groups of patients in the perioperative context.