[The effects of informing patients and their relatives on satisfaction at emergency units]

The research was performed to determine the effect of adding a service unit planned to be carried out by nurses into the current emergency work flow on the patient satisfaction.

The research was carried out on 300 patients who were discharged from an University Hospital Emergency Department in Turkey between 21 January 2002 and 22 March 2002. The data of the research were collected by using Patient Identification Form, Nurse Activity Form, The Evaluation Form for Service of Giving Information and Patient Follow-up Form. The patients were informed by the information booklet developed by the researcher, their questions were answered and a copy of the information booklet was given to the patients and/or their families. The patients were called from their homes or offices one week after their discharge from the hospital and their satisfaction levels of the information given by the researcher were questioned. The data collected from the research were analyzed in computer by using percentage, chi-square and the significance test for universe rate.

It was determined that the level of patient satisfaction was increased when the information was given together with the booklet about their diseases, treatments and the cares and it was also understood that calling the patients to be followed was essential.

It is suggested that the informations should be given to the patients and their relatives on discharge by the nurses and new information booklets should be developed.