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ECONOMICS, EDUCATION, AND POLICY

Factors Predictive of Patient Satisfaction with Anesthesia

Maurizia Capuzzo, MD^*, Giuseppe Gilli, Laura Paparella, MD, Gaetano Gritti, MD, Davide Gambi, MD^||, Margherita Bianconi, MD^¶, Francesco Giunta, MD^#, Cosimetta Buccoliero, MD^*, and Raffaele Alvisi, MD^*

From the *Department of Surgical, Anesthetic and Radiological Sciences, Section of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, and Department of Health Physics, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara; Departments of Medical and Surgical Specialties, and Medicine, Surgery, and Critical Care, Section of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital, Florence; ||Service of Anesthesia and Intensive care, Hospital Nuovo Ospedale S. Giovanni di Dio, Florence; ¶Department of Emergency, Section of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara; #Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of S. Chiara, Pisa, Italy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In this multicenter prospective study, we identified factors associated with satisfaction with anesthesia in patients staying in hospital at least 24 h after surgery.

METHODS: The study was performed in six centers. Inpatients aged more than 18 yr, who underwent a wide range of common surgical procedures, were asked to answer a 10-item instrument to measure patient satisfaction with anesthesia (mean score range, 0–10) and some specific questions, and to rate their perceived health (score, 0–10). Anesthesia staff members were invited to self-compile a Maslach Burnout Inventory.

RESULTS: The satisfaction evaluation questionnaire was returned by 1290 patients (mean age, 61 ± 16 yr; males, 54.4%). The mean global satisfaction score was 8.7 (95% CI: 8.7–8.8), being <9 in 632 (49%) and 9 in 658 (51%) patients. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was returned by 55 anesthesiologists and 68 nurses. Multivariate regression identified five variables as significant predictors of a mean global satisfaction of 9: 1) having been treated in a service with perioperative nurses specifically dedicated only to anesthesia; 2) having been treated where anesthesia information leaflets were provided preoperatively; 3) having received more than two anesthesiologist visits after surgery; 4) having a perceived health score >8.5; and 5) being older that 70 yr. No relationship was found between staff burnout and patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient satisfaction can be improved by an organization in which surgical suite nurses are dedicated only to anesthesia, a written anesthesia information leaflet is given during the preoperative visit and postoperative visits are enhanced.

Anesthesia & Analgesia® is published for the International Anesthesia Research Society® by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins with the assistance of Stanford University Libraries' HighWire Press®. Copyright 2006 by the International Anesthesia Research Society. Online ISSN: 1526-7598   Print ISSN: 0003-2999